The Immaterial Concept In Modern And Contemporary Sculpture

Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions,dependent on materials since its existence,and its characteristics are physicality and volume.However,materials and volume are basic to understand the concept of sculpture.Sculpture has changed its traditional narrative in Modernism and it is increasingly difficult to recognize a sculpture work because sculptures even keepaway from its mass.In the writings of sculptures,the style of sculpture is generally discussed from the perspective of social and cultural background,rather than ontology of sculpture,and the perception of sculptors.Inspired by American theorists Rosalind E.Krauss’s book Passages in modern sculpture,this thesis cite the French theorist Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception,analyzing changes in sculptures from the concepts of space,body,perception,and time These are concepts opposed to materiality and social attributes,namely concepts of "Immateriality",providing a new perspective for sculpture.This thesis starts with the concept of sculpture,using Rodin.Rosso as examples to discuss the modernity appeared in their works;taking Picasso.Tatlin,Gabo’s works as examples to analyze concept of space in sculptures.Duchamp,Surrealism,David Smith are examples about psychological time in sculpture,then Minimalism changes:perception of sculptures tremendously.This thesis draws a conclusion that the concept of sculpture is changing with new understanding of space,time and perception.