Why Appreciating Art is so Important for People

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Why Appreciating Art is so Important for People?

Some people might not think that art is important and would not appreciate it or recognize the efforts to create awe-inspiring pieces of artwork. As intriguing and inspiring art can be, some people have lost their sense of creativity or fascination with colors. When you think of art, you would think of the famous works from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, Raphael, Pablo Picasso, Carole Feuerman, Van Gogh, Warhol, or Claude Monet.

The Importance of Art

Art has been around for generations and decades. Their form and representation have changed from time to time, but their importance, appreciation, and creativity are still admired. Did you know that art was even before men discovered fire? We may have forgotten that art has been around since the early days of the cavemen. No doubt that art has played a very significant role throughout our history. It has shaped our culture, our traditions, and our way of life.

However, it is also a part of our lives in many ways, as everything that we do, wear or perform is inspired by art in some way or the other. Art revolves around us in many ways. We can take inspiration from art from nature, colors in the sky, landscapes, flowers, animals, people, and our culture.

The clothing we wear to the movies we see, or the video games we play, the cars we drive to the pictures of ourselves or the pictures in the books or magazines we read, everything we do is inspired through art, and it is important to appreciate art. Appreciating art and artists is important because art continues to be a part of our lives and our future. It is also related to the future of many generations to come.

Art in the Early Days

Appreciating art was done in the early civilizations, as men used art to communicate with one another and even with the world. We know that early men didn’t use art as a formal written language, but they did use drawings to depict their everyday lives, important information, emotions, and hopes. We can still look at those artistic images and appreciate them in a way. It did give us a clear understanding of their daily struggles and successes and give us a chance to connect and empathize with learning about their culture.

Appreciating and Admiring Art

Art is not meant to be overlooked. People need to appreciate it, admire it, and be inspired by it as it can teach us many things that we can’t even imagine. Art is meant to be looked at for what it is, as it tells us who we are and what we can become in the eyes of the beholder. Art can stimulate thought and reason.

That is why it is known to have brought a revolution in many cultures. It can stimulate ideas as it allows viewers to draw their own emotions in their thoughts and pull from their personal experiences as they encounter them.

Art can be influential in a way as it naturally develops critical and innovative thinking skills. That is why children in their early ages are inspired to draw and paint. Art also teaches us many important qualities such as listening, observing, and responding to multiple perspectives.

That is why art should be admired and appreciated by people from all different walks of life. There is a lot more you can learn about art and artists by reading the real-life account of an inspiring artist Carole A. Feuerman from her book ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy’.

Her book can teach us and all the inspiring artists out there the importance of art and how you can take inspiration from it to learn how to live your life.

Survival of Serena and Immigration

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**Define the sculpture “*Survival of Serena and immigration” history:***

In the late seventies and early eighties, Carole and her family lived in Key West in Florida. She would see Cuban asylum seekers floating to shore on rafts they had strapped together out of inner tubes and driftwood. She was greatly affected.

Since 1966, seven years after the Cuban revolution put Fidel Castro in power and the context of the Cold War, the US had viewed Cubans as political refugees eligible for US citizenship if they could make it to the country. However, because of travel restrictions and limited resources, those desperate to leave the country scavenged raft materials and inner tubes to become balseros, attempting to float across the Caribbean waters to the Keys.

When balseros made it to Florida, the journey destroyed them: dehydrated, sun-sick, hypothermic, starving. However, they also become an integral part of the Florida and US community: in total more than a million would eventually call the state home.

Seeing these refugees, Carole was moved to produce Innertube Variant II, the torso and arms of a woman resting her head on an innertube. It has been made and re-made since the 1980s in many forms, known as Survival of Serena.

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In one of the first blog posts I wrote after I started working at the studio, I talked about the “Miniature Serena” I had been learning to lay up with resin to make a piece in the edition:

Yesterday a senior fabricator, Natasha Rodriguez, started teaching me how to lay up to Carole’s sculptures, a Mini Serena. Serena is resting on an inner tube, her head on her arm. She looks tired and self-satisfied. Talking with one of the artists here, Heath Wang, he said he saw in it the story of a woman who has escaped abuse and created a new life for herself and is resting in that moment of security she has created… I’m attracted to Serena’s floating, mobile self-security.

History of Survival of Serena:

I was learning more about the history of Survival of Serena in the time since I’ve come to appreciate it as one of Carole’s most essential works. This sculpture can be more specifically discussed in a political context as an immigrant narrative and a refugee problem. The floating figure directly references the experience of crossing the water that Carole watched the balseros take again and again.

That self-security is something Survival of Serena has won on the back of her journey as an immigrant, and that is part of why the sculpture has remained one of Carole’s most popular pieces. It has resonance through various refugee crises that the US and the world have encountered since. Those who view Survival of Serena can connect it to the Cuban balseros. Still, it can also be linked to the Honduran, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran families escaping Central American violence since the 1990s.

That violence has roots in the United States. Many Central American criminal organizations can be traced back to Los Angeles. The weapons they use to control and terrorize are primarily a US export, and the market they sell narcotics to is the US. Many of the migrants who flee this violence are children and women who choose not to cooperate with these gangs and face death. They have an aspiration to become Survival of Serena and build their self-security.

Unfortunately, the Trump administration is actively seeking to destroy that possibility for migrants from Central America and worldwide.

Why is the impact on migration to the USA?

The public debate on migration in this country centers on the intense coverage of family separations occurring this summer on the US-Mexico border. It’s reported that more than 2000 children have been separated from their parents while those parents are being detained and tried criminally for illegal entry into the country, even if they have a legitimate asylum claim. Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has released recommendations for strict limitations on what an asylum claim looks like by rejecting the threat of gang or domestic violence as valid grounds for a claim.

Additionally, Trump has successfully pursued a ban on travel and immigration of those from five Muslim-majority countries (along with North Korea and officials of the Venezuelan government), a ban recently upheld by the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii.

Two countries, Syria and Yemen, are currently undergoing civil wars that the US fights in and supports, creating a massive refugee crisis that the Middle East and Europe have primarily borne the weight of. However, those Yemenis and Syrians who have family in the US and even with US citizen children are now unable to come to the US by any means, continuing the administration’s family separation policy.

Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions aspire to destroy the meaning and hope of Survival of Serena’s meaning and to destroy that aspiration to a safe and peaceful life for those who are threatened by violence that is often a US export in the first place.

Ultimately, I want to say this: more than half of the people who work in Carole’s studio right now were born outside the US, myself included. Carole herself was born of immigrant grandparents escaping Hitler and being allowed asylum in the USA.

Our lives have been profoundly affected by the vagaries of policy around migration and immigration in this country and abroad. Making sculptures themselves is not an effective way to fight immoral policy but producing symbols that have cultural resonance is a tool that can be used to suggest moral, aspirational alternatives if the conversation around those symbols happens.

What is the Survival of Serena, according to Carole?

Carole says that Survival of Serena is a universal sculpture. She points to the fact that even for those who weren’t born outside of the US, migration has been a part of the most families’ experience. There have been so many different migrations: those who are refugees from war or famine or flood, those who survived the Trail of Tears and colonial terror, those who were enslaved, those who fled north during the Great Migration, those who moved to the suburbs.

Those who came to cities because rural economies were corporatized, those who escape their families, those who send money back to their families because there are no jobs at home. I don’t know if Survival of Serena can speak to all of these histories, and exist in dialogue with them, then her mobile self-security is probably the best that all of us who are at the mercy of history can hope for.

Conclusion

As an immigrant story and a refugee problem, the Survival of Serena sculpture can be discussed more particularly in a political context. Carole witnessed the balseros cross the lake again and over again. Therefore, the roaming figure is a direct tribute to that individual experience.

—Craig Hartl

Changing the World Through Art

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Changing the World Through Art!

Art has taken me to many countries around the world. On any given day, I might be standing in front of an audience of leaders or discussing the construction of my artwork with a viewer just walking by my sculpture. Working as an artist has brought me into contact with people who share similar and different beliefs.

It has introduced me to a vast range of perceptions and ideas. Being able to participate in these local and global exchanges has profoundly affected the artworks that I make, driving me to create art that touches people emotionally.

Changing the World Through Art

Why is art influential?

One of the significant challenges facing us today is that we often feel powerless when it comes to helping others and solving problems. We may feel disconnected and unable to change world issues, but we must not be quiet. Only through letting our voices be heard can we have a say in shaping our world.

Many artists used their art to make the change. Some of these artists’ works may be familiar to you, such as Picasso. Others, whom you may not know, have used diverse ways of communicating their perceptions. Guernica represents Picasso’s moving anti-war testimonial. This large-scale painting conveys the chaos and torment of war.

Distinctive definition of art by the famous artist!

The Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, created his works under a repressive regime. He made a temporary studio on the Greek Island of Lesbos to bring attention to the plight of the millions of immigrants trying to enter Europe. He famously said, There’s no refugee crisis, but only a human crisis”.

He is an artist who is effecting change. He posted images on social media of a helpless toddler being washed ashore and laid his own body down to be photographed, saying that each human life is of equal importance. His photos shocked the world, making people aware of these human tragedies.

The Guerrilla Girls, the anonymous feminist activist group, are another example of how artists focus on issues to expose gender, ethnic bias, and corruption in politics. None of them need to know how to draw. Instead, they find original ways to convey powerful political messages and show their messages in public forums.

They wear gorilla masks and use facts, humor, and outrageous visuals. They have made more than a hundred street projects, from billboards to performance art demonstrations. They are most famous for circulating a poster that said:

“DO WOMEN have to get naked to have a show at the Met?”

You can also change the world by doing one small thing when you have time. Speak up, sign petitions, write letters or sit down with someone who has the power to change things. You don’t have to do much; the point is– that you do something! Even a small thing makes a difference. If each of us did one positive thing, the world would be a better place.

What is art according to the perception of famous people?

Most of us know the feeling of being moved by a work of art, whether a painting or a sculpture, a song, a poem, a play, or a dance. When we are moved, we are touched; and then we are transported to a new place. We become aware of previously unfamiliar things to us, which we didn’t focus on before. I believe that this is one of the primary responsibilities of artists, — to make people feel and become aware.

Changing the World Through Art

Maya Angelou, civil rights activist, trailblazing director, recipient of over 50 honorary degrees, and educator – this poet had an incredible impact on society, especially within the world of poetry.
She was the first African American woman to write a script made into a Hollywood movie, the first female poet to read a poem at a President’s inauguration, and the first female African American to be a cable car conductor.
Her writing tackled race, gender, and life. Her poem ‘Still I Rise’ carries one of the most powerful messages of resilience and strength, which is still relevant today. ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon: With his political phase in full swing, the ex-Beatle hit encouraged humanity to live peacefully as one group. Its message only became more touching after Lennon’s shocking murder in 1980. Today, it continues to be the go-to song for moments of strife and tragedy.

“Imagine” John Lennon

When we think of leaders who make a difference, we may not think of artists, poets, or songwriters as leaders. However, they have shaped cities and communities, influencing people’s feelings for hundreds of years. I started making art when I was six-year-old. My art has shown me another way to communicate.

“Paradise,” Feuerman, Painted at six years old.

In 1979, while I sat at the beach with my three children, I saw a swimmer emerging like a phoenix from the sea with water droplets streaming down her face. This vision took form in creating my first swimmer sculpture, which I named ‘Catalina.’ She appears to all as a proud survivor, strong and beautiful. A fearless woman.

My sketchbook notes
“Catalina”

In 1981, inspired by immigrants I saw floating from Cuba into Key West, I made my most iconic swimmer sculpture, a contemplative woman resting peacefully on an inflatable tube. This serene and meditative sculpture, which I called the ‘Survival of Serena’, was exhibited in the 2005 Venice Biennale in Italy. She was re-named Serenissima after the Island of Venice, the Serene Island.

‘Survival of Serena’ in the Venice Biennale

I have used my works to be my voice. Images can speak volumes to people and be very powerful. After 9/11, I turned from my hyperrealistic figurative art and made bronze spheres.

“Still Standing”

In my sculpture ‘Still Standing,’ I show that despite the fragmentation and empty areas representing bombings and violence, we remain one world and are still here!

“Seen But Not Heard”

“Seen But Not Heard” is a sculpture portraying a young girl with her eyes closed and her mouth taped shut. She is bound as if she is not able to be heard. In front of her is a bowl with no food in it.

‘Chrysalis & The World’

My most recent sculpture, ‘Chrysalis & The World’, shows a woman praying for world peace and tolerance in meditation. She is seated on top of a polished stainless-steel sphere representing the world. When the viewer investigates the sphere, they see themselves.

Iiennales join nations together, showing the best of their country’s art. TI has participated in Art Biennales all over the world. His year, I had the honor of exhibiting 10 of my sculptures in the Venice Biennale in Italy. The show called Personal Structures, Crossing Borders, a fitting title, will be visited by more than ½ a million people worldwide. Unfortunately, only 35% of this year’s artists in the exhibition are women. No major international exhibition of contemporary art has achieved gender parity.

What kind of world do you want to live in?

Can you imagine a world without art, a world without creativity?

Art motivates us to transform our thinking into saying and doing. Art is not an exclusive club. You can join in. It’s free. These days, we are focused on achieving materialistic things and making money. Now is the time to focus on making our voices heard.

Each of you can engage in art and claim your place in history. You may not realize it, but when you make a souffle or even an omelet, your choice of what to put into your dish is your creative choice. In a way, you have now become an artist.

At this critical juncture, I believe artists should speak through their work. You’ve all heard the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, but art is even more than that. Art teaches, heals, and it influences people’s opinions. Art opens cultural borders and helps us get to know each other, transforming our differences.

And why do we love images so much?

Changing the World Through Art One side of the human brain dedicates itself to visual processing. Our love of images lies with our cognitive ability to pay attention. Our encounters with art and others over art can help us be more tolerant and identify with one another, expand our notions of who we are, and show us that individual engagement in the world has actual consequences.

Ultimately, each of us must maintain the courage of our convictions to meet the extraordinary challenges that confront our world. As you saw in my work, it’s about survival, balance, courage, and strength. These are the messages that can bring global change. Each of you in this room can appreciate and understand this, and that’s why you are making a difference.

That’s why you are here. You are critical to our survival as a global community. We must start now to change the thinking of the past and speak about the present problems and the infinite possibilities of the future.

The moment we find our voice, we are set free!

As you saw in my work, it is about survival, balance, courage, and strength. These are the messages that can bring global change. They are critical to our survival as a global community. Each of you in this room can appreciate and understand this, and that’s why you are making a difference. That’s why you are here.

Conclusion:

Changing the world through art: Art reflects how we see the world, and for many, it is an expression of who we are since it reflects our thoughts, feelings, imaginations, and aspirations. Art’s mission has evolved over the years, taking on a helpful perspective here and a socio-educational one elsewhere. Because philosophers, art historians, and artists cannot agree, we are left with many definitions. Hence, art means using skills and creative imagination to create something influential.

The moment you find your voice, YOU ARE SET FREE! You must start now to change the thinking of the past, and speak about the problems of the present? And the infinite possibilities of the future.

In 2011, I formed Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation to generate excitement, interest, and passion for the arts and inspire and award deserving underrepresented artists with exhibition opportunities, internships, and educational grants for college credit. I invite guest curators for each show. Our next exhibition will be held this spring online. “Art During the Pandemic” will exhibit the work of artists influenced by the pandemic. If you would like to submit your work, send 3 – 5 pgs. of your work to assistant@carolefeuerman.com.

CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN DEBUTS HYPERREALIST SCULPTURE ‘LEDA AND THE SWAN’ BY ARTIST CAROLE FEUERMAN

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THIS PERMANENT INSTALLATION SERVES AS THE CORNERSTONE OF CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN’S AVANT-GARDE ART PROGRAM

NEW YORK, August 16, 2019

Conrad New York Midtown unveiled “Lida & The Swan” by hyperrealist t artist Carole A. Feuerman. This permanent sculpture installation in the lobby serves as the hallmark of the hotel’s extensive, curated art program and a nod to Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to the arts. Influenced by the Greek myth of the same name, this

contemporary sculpture revives the story by bringing in modern themes of feminism and strength. Upon entering the lobby, guests’ eyes are immediately drawn to the larger-than-life sculpture depicting a female figure in an ornate bathing costume and crystal-clad swim cap lounging on a bright white inflatable swan. The life-like sculpture appears to float on the plinth, layering in a Zen mood to the calm and serene lobby space. Feuerman’s interpretation of the classic tale – where Zeus, disguised as a swan, overpowers and seduces Leda who then bore Helen of Troy – showcases Leda, the bather, in a position of feminine dominance over Zeus, the swan. “Conrad New York Midtown’s art collection inspires guests to appreciate the array of art that New York City offers,” said Robert H. Rechtermann, general manager. “Given our location in Midtown, we’re steps away from the Museum of Art and Design, as well as the soon-to-be reopened Museum of Modern Art, and have a bevy of very talented artists at our fingertips. Carole’s sculpture is the perfect commissioned piece of art to entrance guests and introduces them to our art program.” Feuerman, a born-and-bred New Yorker, is the sole female founding member of the 1970s’ hyperrealist movement, and her art has garnered worldwide acclaim. Leda and the Swan is made with Lacquer, 24k gold leaf, and Swarovski Crystals, which allow the light to refract and sparkle, much like it would if placed on the surface of a body of water. The sculpture is meticulously rendered with hundreds of layers of paint to portray the nuances of life-like skin tones. It was commissioned and purchased by Conrad New York Midtown and will be on permanent display in the lobby of the hotel.

“I like the idea that my work inspires the viewers to look closely at what stands before them. It encourages flights of fantasy and involves the viewer with an intimacy they didn’t expect at first glance. If museums and art are at the top of your itinerary when you travel, you’ll find the Conrad New York Midtown a great way to get cultured,” said Feuerman.

The sculpture Leda and the Swan is just one of the many notable pieces throughout Conrad New York Midtown that exemplify New York’s progressive art history. The hotel’s curated collection consists of over 40 pieces, incorporating pivotal artistic movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, street photography, jazz improvisation, Broadway theater, and collections from the MOMA, the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other standout pieces include an original Henri Matisse lithograph, two original Andy Warhol silkscreens and two limited edition photographs by Amy Judd.

About Carole A. Feuerman

Carole is a born-and-bred New Yorker who paid her way through art school at SVA by illustrating high-profile album covers for artists such as The Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper, as well as a cover of National Lampoon. Following school, Carole began touring Europe to establish herself among an art community that had historically valued male artists. She went on to become the sole female founding member of the hyperrealist movement in the 1970s. Her art has become her way of expressing her thoughts about female activism, and Leda and the Swan tells a story that mimics her own – one of strength, survival, and the struggle to achieve.

She has taught, lectured, and given workshops at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, Columbia University, and Grounds for Sculpture. In 2011, she founded the Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation. Her art is in the collections of the President and Senator Hillary Clinton, the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, Dr. Henry Kissinger, the Mikhail Gorbachev Art Foundation, the Malcolm Forbes Magazine Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the State Hermitage in Russia. There are five monographs written about her work. Over the past 40 years, she has earned world recognition by sculpting monumental, life-sized, and museum-sized works in bronze, resin, and marble.

About Conrad New York Midtown

The only suite, only luxury Conrad New York Midtown offers travelers a spacious and innately residential retreat. The 54-floor property encompasses 562 suites and luxury guest rooms; a well-developed art program spanning several pivotal art movements; Dabble, an all-day lively restaurant and accompanying bar; and a 1,500 square-foot fitness center. Set on a quiet side street just steps away from Central Park, the hotel is surrounded by the best of New York City including Rockefeller Center, MoMA and the Theater District. Built in 1987, the property completed a full renovation touching all 54 floors, accommodations, and common spaces in 2019.

Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

BOLLINGER ATELIER VISITS WITH CAROLE FEUERMAN

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“ANYTHING WORTH DOING IS WORTH OVERDOING” – Carole Feuerman

Carole A. Feuerman is acknowledged as one of the three major American hyperrealist sculptors that started the movement in the 1970s. Easier for her to express her emotions through sculpture than through her words, she tells stories of strength, survival, and balance. Her artwork is in numerous collections that include that of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, William and Hillary Clinton, Malcolm Forbes, and spans four continents in four decades. Feuerman seeks to connect with her viewers on an intuitive level, evoking emotion and engagement. It is often the viewer’s participation, or the object/viewer relationship, that completes her work. Feuerman maintains two studios in New York and New Jersey. On an ongoing basis, Feuerman’s work can be seen in selected galleries and museums worldwide.

We’ve worked with Feuerman for a while and on over 30 projects together! We feel like we have a true collaboration with her between foundry and artist; sometimes having to come up with innovative solutions to ideas and designs. Though a “traditional” sculptor, Feuerman doesn’t shy away from using new technology such as 3d modelling and CNC milling machines to push her work in monumental directions.

One of the most challenging pieces we helped Carole with was Double Diver, which now permanently stands at NetApp’s campus in Sunnyvale California.

This sculpture was made from scanning and piecing together her single diver piece so that the figure sat on top of itself, creating an “S” curve. Carole then made the hand and feet transition, making sure we had enough room to fit our armature inside. Once completed, it was once again scanned in and stitched together making the piece digitally finished. We had to make slight adjustments to the angle of figures with the foresight of it needing to be as stacked to itself as possible to ensure sculptural security. Once adjusted and redesigned this was then enlarged and milled on our FROG mill CNC machine and sent to Carole to put in the details and make molds.

Carole’s original intent was to use her “painting with fire” technique which involves splashing different metals into an open face sand mold, creating an aggressive movement of a piece that feels very organic. However, due to the size of Double Diver (measuring 26 feet high), this would create several problems:

because this technique is a very organic method of creating work, it is unpredictable how much the final piece would weigh; also, pooling in certain areas and being thin in the high spots of the mold is possible, making the work unsafe even with structural engineering. Because of this, new and unique methodologies had to be invented to realize it.

Tom Bollinger had the idea to mimic the “painting with fire” method with wax instead of bronze, where it could be controlled enough to get our standard thickness consistent all around. Head wax artisan Ron Lyons spent some time to R&D different prototypes of the dripped wax method. The first couple attempts felt too stringy, and the artist wanted larger forms that fit like a puzzle. Ron pushed his skillset and was able to control the wax to create beautiful and carefully dripped large pools of wax. After Carole’s approval the wax department went to work and implemented Ron’s method to the Double Diver molds. The solution for dressing the seams was to create what Carole called “cookies”, making individual larger drips on a baking pan and then layering them on top of the piece.

Feuerman made several trips from New York City to work with our artisans.

“I loved working with Tom Bollinger and his team. They really did the impossible to help me create Double Diver!” –Carole Feuerman.

After final wax approvals, the piece went through the rest of the lost wax process. We poured 2 tons of bronze over several weeks of work.

Bollinger also designed and engineered the structure for Double Diver with the help of Caruso Turley Scott Structural Engineers. A key component was to use 17-4 Stainless Steel for the weakest parts of the piece (hand and feet connection, bronze to base connections). 17-4 stainless is ten times as strong as 304 or 316, but also much more expensive, which is why we had to design the armature to be as efficient with our materials as possible.

We also completely designed and fabricated the stainless-steel base that Double Diver is on. This includes lighting, design, and access door for any maintenance work that may need to be done. The Double Diver slots into two sleeves that perfectly fit the posts coming out of the figure’s hands and are securely bolted from inside the base.

For the patina, Carole used an iridescent paint which allowed the beautiful luster of the bronze to shine through; drawing inspiration from the natural patinas her “Painting with Fire” series contains.

It was test fit with its base a final time and prepped to ship to California. At the unveiling of this monumental piece on April 10th, its silhouette immediately took over the site. The details and hard work reflected the light and was revealed for all to enjoy for many years to come.

“As challenging as this project was, it was exciting to solve and engineer the Diver from beginning to end and once again proves the astute craftsmanship that our team does on a day-to-day basis.” – Tom Bollinger

Carole also established the Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation in 2011, in order to generate excitement, interest and passion for the arts and to inspire and award deserving artists with exhibition opportunities, internships for college credit and education/research grants.

Visit Carole A. Feuerman’s website: www.carolefeuerman.coVisit the Carole A. Feuerman Foundation website: www.carolefeuermanfoundation.org

And to see more of the work visit our portfolio page: https://bollingeratelier.com/portfolio-carole-a-feuerman/

FEUERMAN’S NEWEST MONOGRAPH, “CAROLE A. FEUERMAN: 50 YEARS OF LOOKING GOOD”

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Feuerman started as a humble illustrator creating album covers and then thrived to the prolific artist that she is today. Her new book contains stunning and powerful images that portray her growth as an artist. Feuerman has been creating life-like images of swimmers since the early 1970s. She started off with “Snorkel”, a woman with goggles on, hair slicked back and coming out of the water. Realizing that she wanted to capture more of a woman’s beauty, Feuerman created “Catalina”. The life-sized “Catalina” instantly became an embodiment for more iconic swimmers in her repertoire.
Feuerman evolved bigger and stronger. She started experimenting with sizes and mediums creating stunning pieces of work such as “Double Diver”, a grand monumental sculpture in bronze. Spiraling a thirty-six feet into the air is not only an artistic feat, but also engineering. The book also mentions other notable pieces such as “The Golden Mean”, “Strength” and “Brooke with Beach Ball”. Flipping through the pages of the book does not do her work justice since each piece looks simply amazing.
Feuerman’s work has not remained state-side. Her works have travelled all over the word with the most notable places as the Venice Biennale. Her latest life-size sculpture “Emma with the Red Hat” simply looked serene. The images of “The Thinker” are dramatic and thought provoking.
Feuerman’s sculptures have been taking her audience down her journey. Her book, “Carole A. Feuerman: 50 Years of Looking Good” chronicles that journey for the reader to experience. You, the reader of this blog, can experience this journey yourself. A personally signed book is available for pre – publication purchase through the Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation Boutique. By making purchases through her foundation, you are supporting Feuerman’s mission of promoting deserving artists with residency and exhibition opportunities, internships for college credit and education/research and grants. Experience Feuerman’s journey for yourself and support a great cause.

Carole A. Feuerman: Fifty Years of Looking Good

Edited by John T. Spike

Hardback, approx. 192 pages, 119 color illustrations 24 Å~ 30 cm (9. Å~ 11. in)

978-3-85881-844-7 English

CHF 65.00 | EUR 58.00

GBP 50.00 | USD 65.00

ART

JANUARY 2020 (Europe)

MARCH 2020 (US)

The most comprehensive monograph to date on major American artist Carole A. Feuerman, a pioneer of hyperrealism in sculpture lavishly illustrated and covering Feuerman’s entire career spanning five decades, featuring more than 200 works Carole A. Feuerman is celebrated as a pioneer and one of America’s major pioneers of Hyperrealism in sculpture, alongside Duane Hanson and John De Andrea. Born 1945 and educated in New York and Philadelphia, she began as an illustrator before turning to sculpture in the 1970s, soon gaining much recognition and early success. Her work has been displayed in many groups shows and solo exhibitions at private galleries and public museums, as well as at major art fairs, in America, Europe, and Asia. Over five decades, Feuerman has created visual manifestations of stories telling of strength, survival, and balance. Her subject matter is the human figure, most often a woman in an introspective moment of exuberant self-consciousness shaded by erotic lassitude. Feuerman’s works represent a female state of mind rather than an alluring body meant to attract the male gaze. They suggest that women look at themselves differently from men looking at them, that a woman is more innately creative than a man. This book is the most comprehensive survey of Feuerman’s oeuvre to date. Lavishly illustrated in color throughout, it demonstrates the variety of materials and media she uses and highlights the specific qualities of her figures.

John T. Spike is an American-born distinguished art historian, curator, author and lecturer specializing in Italian Renaissance and Baroque Art, and an eminent critic of contemporary art. Additional essays by John Yau and Claudia Moscovici.

MEANING AND CONTENT OF ART

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Art can be complex to understand sometimes, as it contains a deeper meaning to represent an expression of an idea, culture, sophistication, imagination, thoughts, and even people. Many philosophers, thinkers, and intellectuals have argued over its conceptualization and meaning. But many fail to understand what art is and what content it contains. To put it simply, art is a form that is presented visually for the viewer. All art must include two things, which are form and content.

Explaining Art from a Deeper Perspective

Every art in the world has a particular form. Every form in art must contain the essential elements of art, design principles, and the actual or physical materials that an artist has used. Art is a representation of a form that can be created using different colors or materials. It creates a visually appealing experience for any viewer, anyone who has the sense to understand and perceive art and its form. Art also contains content, an idea, imagination, representation of culture, or its norms, people, or even society. Content is basically something from which an artist can be inspired and brings in an art form. An artist can be inspired by religion, politics, people, or society in general. All of these factors can bring about the content in art.

Understanding the Elements of Art

Art elements can be easily described as the ‘tools’ that artists work with to create an inspirational piece of art. They are what you called the necessary foundation of creating a good composition in art itself. Ask anyone. How can you describe a good piece of art? Some would talk about its color shade; others would appreciate its shape and texture; for some, it would be about the patterns outlined in the art. There are six essential elements of art. They are the essential parts of an artwork through which an artist can plan, draw, or sculpt its art piece. An artist may or may not know about such elements: line, value, shape, form, space, texture, and color. Other essentials elements might have deemed necessary, but these are the six essential elements that can make a great piece of art.

Using the Basic Foundation to Create Art

Any artist, while creating art, needs to focus on the lines. Call it a blueprint, but it is a path that can take shape for the art form. While an artist draws the lines, he/she can create different kinds of shapes by joining them together as they may appear to be either straight, horizontal, vertical, free-hand, diagonal, or even implied.

Once such lines are drawn, and there is a basic shape to art, the artist can then focus on the form to be either one dimensional or two dimensional. They can then create a form and then create a sense of space by showing objects or texture and filling it with color. An artist can create a deeper sense of art by creating an illusion of texture in their artwork with different shades of color with brushstrokes and other techniques.

An artist is always very creative to different awe-inspiring masterpieces of art to make it more attractive and appealing. Any good piece of art can easily inspire millions of people. If you wish to learn more about art and its deeper meaning, then For my legacy by Carole Feuerman is a must-read book for you. This book is a masterpiece of this artist as she has given her real-life accounts on how she understood art and became one of the most successful artists in the world. Her artworks are now owned and exhibited by 18 museums, and her illustrious career is highlighted by iconic figurative sculptures of swimmers and dancers. You will be easily encouraged and uplifted by reading about art and her life through her book.

ARIA GALLERY: FEUERMAN’S SHAPES OF REALITY

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Viewing Feuerman’s exhibit Shapes of Reality at Aria Gallery in Florence is the perfect way to spend a summer evening.

The sculptor’s life-size Diver is now on view in the garden at Aria. Diver seeks to capture the motion made by a diver as his body arches, goes backwards, and a ‘C’ shape is formed. This shape represents perseverance and balance as well as the struggle to achieve.

Diver, 2011.

Feuerman sought to accentuate the elegant ‘C’ shape to highlight the beautiful struggle of muscle and body that ensues when a diver pushes themselves past the limits of the ordinary.

As an Artist, Feuerman recognizes the symbol of the diver as a kindred artistic spirit. The Diver is perched on the edge, readying himself for more than just a dive; he is about to create and define his own reality. Feuerman pursues this same bold path with her sculptures.

Also on view at Aria Gallery is Next Summer, Monumental Brooke with Beach Ball, Capri as well as Serena Diamond Dust Shower.

Friends new and old, hungry collectors, delighted first-timers, and eager Press toured the gallery of bewitching swimmers.

All were united by the undulating energy imbued in the sculptures. Feuerman’s passionate dedication to detail is world famous and when given the chance, admirers get as close as possible to revel in these sundry specifics.

ART THERAPY FOR CREATIVITY AND RECOVERY

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“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” – Aristotle

From painting to writing and to dancing, creative activities make our life fun and interesting. But do you know that art is so powerful and calming that it can be used as a therapeutic tool? Yes, you heard it right.

According to the American Art Therapy Association (2008), art therapy involves creative processes of art making to improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being of people of all ages.

The growing interest in holistic approach to treatment has supported the idea that expressive arts in treatment are effective for overall human health and wellness. As mentioned in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, ‘art therapy supplements the biomedical approach by focusing not only on the symptom and the disorder but the holistic nature of the individual.

SPEAKING OF ART AND HEALING

Art helps us heal.

It forces humans to create a connection between their body and mind. Unlike physical workouts that focuses on your body or meditation which brings clarity to your mind, art access both body and mind to accelerate healing.

When combined with traditional treatment, art therapy can be noteworthy in treating mental issues. It helps in self-discovery as the activities of art allows people to uncover and acknowledge deep buried emotions in the sub-conscious mind. It also uplifts our self-esteem as creating an artistic piece of work instills confidence and appreciation.

WHAT EVIDENCE DO WE HAVE ABOUT THIS RELATIONSHIP?

Drawing, coloring, doodling, or painting has been scientifically proven to help people overcome traumatic situations in life. As individuals create art, they may analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, we can identify themes and conflicts that may be influencing their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.

A research study ‘The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health’ shows that art enable people to express their experiences that couldn’t be easily put into words, such as the painful treatment of cancer.

SITUATIONS WHERE ART THERAPY CAN BE UTILIZED

Adults experiencing severe depression and anxiety due to loss of a loved one or a job, failure in relationships, financial hardships, health issues, or any traumatic event.
Children suffering from social and behavioral problems at home or at school.
People experiencing brain injury or mental health issues.

In addition to this, there are a range of conditions that can be treated effectively by using art therapy such as aging related issues, eating disorders, emotional difficulties, family problems, substance abuse, psychological issues, and self-esteem issues.

ART THERAPY EXERCISES TO ADD IN YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE

Here’s a list of art therapy exercises that everyone should look for.

Create an art journal

Journals don’t just have to be around words. You can create your own art journal as well. Use this journal to visually express your emotions.

Go on a nature walk to get inspiration

Incorporating nature into your art practice is a win-win situation. Nature soothes our five senses and provides relaxation. Go for a walk and collect things you find interesting such as stones, pine, leaves, and other objects. Use these objects to create a magazine, sculpture, or an art wall. Now answer this; what drew you to it?

Create art in the dark

Not being able to see what you are making or having to think about whether it’s not the right can be very relaxing.

Draw visual image of your good qualities

By making drawings of your positive traits, you’ll feel more optimistic and confident about yourself. This could be your any good habits such as helping older people with their daily chores or feeding birds etc.

Create a stress painting

In this art exercise, you’ll focus entirely on painting what you’re feeling inside. Pick colors that represent your stress and anxiety.

Doodling

Doodles are abstract patterns or designs but can also include phallic scenes, cartoons and comic characters.

Just color

So many times, the simple act of drawing shapes and coloring them is the only relaxation you need. Find a coloring book or create your own favorite characters or shapes and color them.

Make response art

We all have a song, poem, or quote that we connect with in some way. Choose any one and use it as a foundation to create art. Respond to it through coloring with color pencils or crayons.

AUTHOR BIO

Feuerman is an American sculptor and artist living and working in New York. She has been working as a professional artist for more than 50 years. She is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is one of the three founding members of the Hyperrealist movement, and the only woman sculptor to work in this genre. She founded The Carole A. Feuerman Sculpture Foundation in 2011 to generate interest and passion for the arts and inspire and award deserving underrepresented artists with exhibition opportunities, internships, and grants.

LIVING YOUR LIFE AS AN ARTIST

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Some people believe that many artists lead punishing lives, as they need to invest their skills, planning, money, time, and principles to a greater extend. Some might even not be recognized or appreciated in the way that they expect. It is incredibly important that you understand that artists are talented than you could ever imagine. They can easily give their imagination or thought a real picture and draw it as a painting or canvas. Their life can be hard, but only they know what to make out of it. They can understand our culture, our traditions, and our history more than we could. They are more like scientists. The only difference is that scientist experiments with different theories and natural elements; artists experiment with their thoughts, ideas, imagination, thinking, and colors. Lots and lots of colors. With effective colors, they could draw some very important aspects of our life and invoke a sensation in our very thoughts.

The Creativity of an Artist

When an artist works beyond what is usually the norm, they start to question their own assumptions that anyone else hasn’t questioned. They question their own thoughts and ideas and then generate creativity. They can easily blend a lot of colors to give shape to their creativity. An artist can look around and take inspiration from every object, every surface, every scene, and color, even from a situation that may appear interesting to them. As artists will never stop learning about art, they would never stop thinking about blending creativity in their work. As the field of art has now stretched into many different forms and types, an artist can easily get confused on how to work on so many different things. The artistic process works on the questions of art, culture, tradition, and their own thought-processes.

The World and its Problems being Solved by Art and Artists

As we know, the world has many problems like scarcity, poverty, hunger, economic conditions, and globalization. Many of these severe problems even question our thought of mind and culture. Many of us would ignore such problems and live our life, but an artist sees these problems differently. Though they cannot do much to change it, they still like to give it a picture or create something out of it, just so that people would at least see it and do something about it collectively. With the artist’s work, the general audience can question their own thoughts about how they are playing their part in the world. That is what an artist does; they invoke thought of reasoning in people. They contribute new knowledge to the world’s cultural realm with their artworks and force people to think about it.

To make someone think about anything other than themselves is difficult, but an artist does it with creativity and a blend of different colors. As we live in a full of color, images, pictures, language, videos, stories, music, and diversification of cultures and traditions, an artist is a person to bring out the positivity of such things and make something out of them. The artist can then motivate a reason of thought regarding the culture, spiritual, political, emotional, or even economic aspect of our world.

As complex and sophisticated artists can be, there is a lot we can learn about them from the book ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy’, which is written by a remarkable artist Carole Feuerman. In her book, she has given her life account of what inspired her to become an artist and share her ideas about the shape of reality through real people sculptures of models and swimmers. Her book can teach a lot about art and artists and is a must-read book for all young artists out there who are willing to make their mark in the world of art.

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