Friday, November 3, 2017

Gustavo Aceves Horse Sculpture




Here's lookin' at you, Kid!


Dear Art Lover,
     Near Piazza Verdi in Lucca, Italy, not so long ago, I discovered a wonderful public art exhibition of horses and about migration [of people].  My last post: 
featured images of Mexican sculptor Gustavo Aceves multi-figure “Passo Sospesosculpture work of humans and horses.  The entire show is titled “Lapidarium” and is just wonderful!       

     I quote part of the sign for this sculpture grouping [I rewrote a little to correct the poor translation to English]:
     These sculptures represent a sort of “monument to the vanquished,” a metaphor of the unceasing migration process over thousands of years. 
Gustavo Aceves, Mexican sculptor, Lucca, Italy, sculpture exhibition, public art, horse sculpture, Lapidarium, immigration, migration
The leglessness made me wonder if the artist wanted this sculpture exhibited just above water.

     This truly monumental horse has his body split in half.  The back half has a tall form attached, perhaps representing a rider?  Behind that tall shape is a skull attached to a space along the “spine.”  There are backwards numbers (like many license plates) stamped into the torso of the horse, large sets and then many smaller ones.  I am not sure if the bones mounted at the top back end of the front half of the horse are to imply starvation or something else.  Compositionally, it aids the eye to look to the back half of the sculpture, with its gracefully curving top line mirroring the line of the horse’s neck.

Human skull along the spine

Gustavo Aceves, Mexican sculptor bony addition aids composition
Bony addition aids composition

Gustavo Aceves, Mexican sculptor, Lucca, Italy, sculpture exhibition, public art, horse sculpture, Lapidarium, immigration, migration

Gustavo Aceves, Mexican sculptor, Lucca, Italy, sculpture exhibition, public art, horse sculpture, Lapidarium, immigration, migration


     The blue-green patina (frankly, the easiest to create in bronze, other than black) contrasts nicely with the warm greens of the surrounding grasses and trees.  I think it is in a lovely spot, along the wall of Lucca, where it may be seen from within and down below along the road that circles the wall.  Perhaps you will get to see this exhibit?  Please pardon the big black spot in my pictures.  I need to buy a new camera since this is not-repairable, but I have had a lot of expenses this year and am postponing the shopping.
     Enjoy… I hope not too many photos! 

Happy birthday, Bob Barton!  


Peace,

Kelly Borsheim, artist

P.S. IF original art, while affordable, is STILL a bit out of your budget, or the piece you adored has sold?  Or do you like arty things in different formats, to surround yourself with art?  Looking for a gift?  See my store online for pillow, phone cases, shower curtains, towels, tote bags, and yes, even prints on metal, wood, canvas, and so much more:

bronze horse head public art Lucca, Italy

horse sculpture bronze equine art Lucca Italy

numbers represent people en masse

skull showing the real risk of migration bronze sculpture

Lucca Italy park path along the Medieval wall surrounding the city