Quick: name a visual artist whose work stirs you to write!

We had lofty goals to highlight several lesser known visual artists who stir our imagination. Then our work and our families stepped in; sweet but demanding.  So, this week we will quickly profile one visual artist from each coast artist whose work inspires us. Europe, Asia, Canada, and Middle America will just have to wait…

California sculptor Bela Bacsci twists classic themes on their head. His creations make us think of questions. In general, we like the immediacy of sculpture. P. feels it is, as a form, active, urgent, tactile and sensual. We agree that it is too bad (though perhaps good for public health in the time of swine flu) that one can’t touch older sculptures-many sculptures simply beg to be touched.

We discovered Basci’s work through the websites of other artists on the Internet. It appears that Basci has connections to both New York and California. Basci is a long-time member of the California Art Club, whose 1997 sculpture in Italian marble entitled “Driver of the Wheel” could spark many stories. Themes like humans becoming one with time and worker becoming one with industry (either positively or negatively) jump to mind. It’s a thought provoking work. 

His more sensual piece, “Vessel” (2006) also offers stories. For whom is the female form in his piece a vessel? Does she chose this role or is it thrust on her? Is this her only aspiration? We could go on.  Sometimes, when we consider living artists, we wonder what it would be like to sit down with them over a chamomile tea and discuss their vision of their work. But J. wonders if that would ruin all the fun of guessing and creating one’s own interpretation. Are different interpretations one of the best parts of innovative visual art? 

So, while we will not be driving to Santa Barbara to buy tea for Bela Bacsci anytime soon, we recommend that you take a peek at ”Driver of the Wheel.”  If you look beyond all the beachscapes, the California Art Club website can also introduce you to some interesting CA artists. Perhaps their work will lead you to think of new stories.

Source of the day:

http://www.californiaartclub.org/