‘Mann’ by Stephen Balkenhol (1998)
at Borås International Sculpture Biennal 2012
The artist, Stephen Balkenhol, was born in Germany 1957.
“He uses large blocks of timber to chisel out true-to-life men, women and animals, using a chainsaw and hammer. Balkenhol counters the classical ideal of elevated beauty. --- [His aim is] to break down the monumental aspect of figurative statues by placing the most ordinary men and women on pedestals – places that have normally been reserved for heroes and heroines.”
Reading this, I’m reminded of Psalm 8 in the Bible:
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet
Psalm 8 (King James verison)
Linking to Ruby Tuesday 2
Love the enigmatic smile on this figure's face! And the stance seems firm, full of inner strength!
ReplyDeleteA red pedestal is the best of all possible colors!
ReplyDeleteRuby, Blue, Yellow
How very life-like! Great sculpture.
ReplyDeletenow this one I like, the statue and the sentiment of the artist. super talented guy to do that from a block of wood.
ReplyDeletevery nice statue, but i see also the women with red jacket in the first photo :-), visiting you on RT2, hope you could return visit me too..here basketball hoop toy
ReplyDeleteHe looks so prim and proper :-) love it :-) Dropping by from RT2
ReplyDeletehttp://adventurousjessy.blogspot.com/2012/06/red-sweet-watermelon.html
Very nice statue!
ReplyDeleteMy Ruby, please come and see when you get a chance.
cool statue :) hope you can visit my My Ruby Tuesday here.
ReplyDelete