The Shape Of Time

Sculpture art is one of the most ancient forms of artistic expression. "The beginning of art started with sculptures. When our ancestors were living in caves, they had to use stone tools in order to survive; afterwards a house was able to be constructed. Through this process, painting was learned. So the art of sculpture had started during the stone-aged. Through this we can understand the sculpturing is the earliest forms of art." The ancient times sculpture exists in static forms, or it is said to exist in as a 3D entity. However, the exploration for the form of sculpture and space have never stopped, in contemporary sculpture art creation, the definition of sculpture has become increasingly blurred and more generalized; in other words, the means of creating sculptures is more diverse, and is rendered in more diverse ways. In many modern sculptures and gallery shows the original elements used in the "language" of sculpture are not used. For example, some artists have the dimension of time applied to the sculpture’s creation, or time is in the process of the exhibition of works. Time, is a new dimension in sculpting. Traditionally sculptures are thought of as a three-dimensional space. With the inclusion of time, sculptures are being brought into a space-time vector of four-dimensional space."Time" as an element is reflected in the classical period of ancient Greek sculpture. In the Greek Artist Myron’s work of "Discobolus", Agesander, Athenodoros and Polydorus’s creation of "Laocoon and His Sons", Classical Art master Auguste Rodin’s, "The Walking Man",as well as other works encapsulate a space and texture so that it embodies "movement" in the concept of time. These works are stationary. The "movement" just "seems to be seen as "movement." This kind of movement is psychological, not the practical significance of the movement, they reflect the "time" is the spirit. At this point, the four-dimensional space of sculpture is presented in "the spirit of the time" as a way to express time.The Modern Abtract American sculptor, Alexander Cauld, has explored and researched space and material development. The development of western modern sculpture art plays a role in the past. Before him the sculpture was static. That is to say it is three dimensional. His work lets us be more intuitive to see the sculpture’s movement, to see "the embodiment and application of time" in sculpture. At the same time his sculptures, as well as research and exploration of later sculpture artists, in the language of sculpture creation and on the method has opened up a new path. At this point, the four-dimensional space of sculpture is presented in the "physical time" aspect.American Earth Art and Japanese "Mono" Art almost appeared at the same time, and the expressional aspects of thinking also has a lot of similarities. Earth art emphasizes the process of the work itself, at the same time brings us a different viewing experience; "mono" emphasizes the nature of material properties and the creation of individual body experience. Since 20th Century,80 years ago, Chinese art has had some new changes, and has artists in search of a new art form and art language. Chinese sculpture also has had new changes. From the research and application of tradition sculpture to non traditional sculpture, materials from the research on the form and content from sculpture to sculpture varies; from the introduction of concepts, are signs of Contemporary Chinese sculpture is undergoing a new movement. Some of the founding research and creations from Sculptor Cai Guoqiang, like, "Venice’s Rent Collection Courtyard", the sculpture’s volume, space, or form are not the important elements; instead, it is more concerned about the work of the sculpture and the ideas of the problems it is expressing. Cai Guoqiang in the Venice biennial works "Venice hospitalization", he demonstrated not what a complete, beautiful, vivid "sculpture" should be, but the whole process of sculpting a sculpture exhibition. This is the author’s viewpoint. He put the process of "time" into a performance work exhibition sculpture. The concept of Sui Jianguo’s works "The Shape of Time" goes against the ideas of a traditional sculpture. The abstract concept of virtual "time" is concrete, real, and allows more of the author’s own life experiences emerge as an important factor in the works. Method and the presentation of the works creation is a new exploration on the art of sculpture language. At this point, the four-dimensional space of sculpture is presented in a "time concept" way.Contemporary sculpture language diversification has also brought some problems, that is, contemporary sculptures are more and more in a swinging situation--the definition of sculpture has become increasingly blurred. Today, some theorists have dubbed it "Broad Sculpture." While exploring the language of the art of sculpture, it is most important to preserve and retain the nature of a sculpture. This thesis follows the problems in the development and application of this dimension of "time" in order to keep the essence of a sculpture, thus, guiding the author in fulfilling and researching his artistic creation in Sculpture.