Insights Into Space

Western sculptures in 20th century have changed a lot in various facets:idea, material,technic,etc. What we concern in this thesis is the appearance of Negative Space. This method of dealing with space challenged the traditional view, that is, sculpture is a solid mass arounded by space. Negative Space's appearance enriched the relations between form and space, and made a sculpture more senseful and expressive. It is well-known that Henry Moore(1898-1986), the famous British sculptor, has achieved a great level in using hollows in sculpture. His works synthesized the influence of pre-Columbian, African and modern western sculptures, delivered a natural, ancient and tranquil sense. Moreover, his practice of using hollows in solid mass can be the most successful in similar artistic attempts and explorations.This thesis would start from hollows in his sculpture,which serves as an important feature of Moore's works, relate the general analysis of his sculpture with Heidegger's discourse on art and sculpture, and finally attain a new explanation of Moore's works.