Category: tropical sculpture

Catropical

 

Table of contents

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Tropical cat theory

A syncretic art media composition

The diptych core being fiberglass with the printed fabric of tropical cat, overlock stitched onto the centre. A surface application of tonal colour is built up with adhesives powder. The fiberglass has an application of resin and a steel frame attached through multiple nodes of wire. Various paints are applied, from oils, acrylic, and fabric paint to the robust resin paints added to fiberglass that forms the border over the built-up clay sections, which also surround the photographic prints of rainforest birds. Historical reference to earlier works inform this series.

A theory about endangered species, and its relation to art

Schrodinger’s cat theory qua tropical cat is set within the resin depiction as contingent. Its contingency is dependent on refraction and reflection. So from an observer perspective, each observer (bird) has a probability function of a cat encounter. Therefore each bird is both dead and alive. 

Philosophy of figurative abstraction.

This diptych has resemblances appearing as cats and birds either side.

Environmental interpretation

Endangered species and tropical cat.

The notion of native birds being endangered species threatened by feral cats also plays a part in this work. The cat is treading on a chain between the birds. The print photographic depictions are object photographic. These prints are covered in resin and form an obscure magnification of rainforest birds that inhabit Australia’s cassowary coastal region. 

Abstraction as a tropical cat probability

Abstraction with string emerging from the side eludes the popular notion of string theory in line with particle physics. The possibility of subatomic particles moving through the diptych riffs on Schrodinger’s cat theory. The colour abstraction a probability function of the diptych as an art coin to be flipped as cat/birds or abstract.

Chakra tropical

 

Outdoor tropical art: principles and practice.

Construction of chakra tropical.

The units on the Cuban royal palm are speaker units coloured to resemble art of classical Indian metaphysics of energy zones known as “Chakra”.

Tropical palms have a vibrant sense and easy to sculpt so ideal for outdoor tropical art. The general philosophy is discussed further in the article outdoor art.

The urban sense of place as related to palms.

Mixed media sourced tropical

The tropical sculpture use of mixed media in the form of various bits of electronics, as well as resin and thick paint make this a mixed media construction. A specific eight point account gives a methodology for approaching a project from the conceptual to the sculpture. The use of raw objects and construction material can be balanced with placement of photographic prints so as to give the works a thematic depth.

The palm as a living energy sculpture.

Chakra tropical as a homage to yoga phenomenology.

North Queensland palm sculpture

  • There is an abundance of urban palms for sculpture in Townsville.
  • Chakra tropical reflects the vibrant sense of place.
A mixed media palm, sound system parts, paint, resin sculpture by artist Italo Giardina, FNQ, Townsville.
Chakra palm sculpture
What sort of a palm?

A Cuban royal palm .

Why was it cut down?

If very tall, and roots become exposed in conjunction with strong winds like a cyclone they can cause damage to urban infrastructure. palm climbed for deseeding in Townsville

Can I view the initial process?

There is footage of the palm climber

What other body of works does this belong to?

Its part of the retrospective series

A sculptural odyssey: learn stone sculpture, India.

 

Outdoor sculpture

Outdoor art as a international travellers’ tale

So outdoor art has a general philosophy which I discuss in depth in my outdoor art: a philosophical guide. However this is about a traveller narrative that can be excessed in full on my journey in 2017/18. It is through a series of journal style accounts I discuss a sculpture travel journey as a mode of influence can lead to pursuits such as stone sculpture tuition if the traveller extends their boundaries.

Transformative experiences

Therefore the odyssey emerges as a form of life. Its the self through the passage of time that could be in theory, not a passage but interconnected points in a complex matrix. What I am suggesting is by taking up a project like sculpture tuition it can be a profoundly transformative experience.

Street sculptural matrix/passage

After a few months of travel that began in the Himalayan region, I landed once again (last time was 2004) at the tropical seaside stone sculpture port town of Mahabalipuram. It was a comfortable place to recuperate from stressful bus trips and cycling through many challenging road types. Soon I came across an out of the way accommodation with a family unit who the notion of a sculpture travel journey. It was only a day later I came upon a non-aligned soft stone sculptor who made intricately carved animals for the tourist market. He was interested in taking on small paid projects between his contracts with established sculpture workshops, which employed him on a contract basis. 

We came upon an agreed price for sculpture tuition to do a week-long project with the help of a polisher and carrier who positioned the stone as well as was an aid to bring tools, tea, and assorted tasks. The place for street sculpture began in what appeared to be an abandoned construction, which was the family estate, on hold due to a lack of finance set in a back street. I could walk to the beach and shop for a getaway when I had enough grinding hard black granite.