Items Similar to John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Holiday 35 (Speckled Stone), Sculpture 2017
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
John Van AlstineJohn Van Alstine - Sisyphean Holiday 35 (Speckled Stone), Sculpture 20172017
2017
About the Item
Riverstone/ Pigmented and sealed steel
Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level the work is about the marriage of the natural with the human-made.
Stone is used as an assemblage element, the way a welder uses steel, rather than in the traditional manner of subtraction. In contrast to the timelessness of stone, the found-object metal (sometimes cast bronze) is time-specific - 20th century industrial. The industrial / structural characteristics inherent in the metal are often employed to physically connect or suspend stone elements allowing a "choreographing" or "floating" of stone. At their best, a compelling visual / physical irony is created.
The works strives to communicate on a number of different levels; physical, symbolic, metaphorical. The duality of an eastern or oriental acceptance of stone and a 20th century industrial American “can do” attitude toward metal is central to the work and an important characteristic that distinguishes it.
JOHN VAN ALSTINE - ARTIST STATEMENT
SISYPHEAN HOLIDAY series
This dynamic new series is an extension of my ongoing SISYPHEAN CIRCLE series (2005-2016) which examines parallels between the Greek mythological character Sisyphus and the plight of the artist.
As we know from mythology because of a lifetime of transgressions when Sisyphus reached the underworld he was faced with the punishment of rolling a large stone up a steep hill, only to have it tumble back after reaching the top. This toil lasts all eternity and in some ways is a perfect metaphor for the creative process and especially applicable to those, like me, that use stone as a primary material.
Viewing the creative process simply as toil or a punishment however is obviously too narrow and negative. I prefer to see it in the context presented by Albert Camus, the French existentialist, in his essay The Myth of Sisyphus. Here Camus uses the myth to illustrate the idea that reaching ones final destination is not always the most important. If one reconsiders Sisyphus as he suggests, the struggle or journey reveals itself as ultimately the most meaningful - an idea that I, and many others, believe is central to the creative process and life in general.
After completing over 100 sculptures in the original Sisyphean Circle Series, a new direction has emerged - the SISYPHEN HOLIDAY series. I present these new works in a light hearted, “tongue in cheek” way that suggests offering Sisyphus (and me) a break or “holiday”. Here the "Sisyphean stone“ is placed in a vessel form, similar to an Adirondack guide boat or canoe, giving the sculpture a playful holiday twist.
John Van Alstine
This sculpture will be shipped directly from the artist's studio.
- Creator:John Van Alstine (1952, American)
- Creation Year:2017
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Greenwich, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU25114044802
John Van Alstine
BIOGRAPHY Born in upstate New York in 1952, John Van Alstine grew up in the southern Adirondack Mountains. After attending St. Lawrence University, Kent State University (BFA 1974) and Cornell University (MFA 1976), he joined the faculty at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, and later the University of Maryland, College Park, to teach drawing and sculpture. In 1986 he left teaching and moved to the New York area to pursue studio work full-time. In 1987 he purchased a 19th century industrial complex on the banks of the Sacandaga River and returned to the Adirondacks where he now lives and works in the restored historic structure. Van Alstine's work is held in many private and public and corporate collections in the United States and Europe. He has completed many large scale outdoor, site-specific commissions. ARTIST STATEMENT The union of stone and metal—recently rough-hewn New York slate and found object steel—are central in my sculpture. On its most basic level, the work is about the marriage of the natural with the human-made. Stone is used as an assemblage element in the way a welder uses steel, rather than in the traditional manner of subtraction. In contrast to the timelessness of stone, the found-object steel is very time-specific—20th century industrial. The industrial and structural characteristics inherent in the metal are often employed in the work and used to physically connect or suspend stone elements. The strength of the metal allows for a "choreographing" or "floating" of typically earthbound stone. The Sisyphean Circle Series is an attempt to draw parallels between the Greek mythological character and the plight of the artist. As we all know, Sisyphus was forced to roll a large stone up a steep hill, only to have it tumble back after reaching the top. A toil that lasts an eternity is an applicable metaphor for the creative process—especially for a stone sculptor, on both a physical and symbolic level. I am constantly pushing stone around the studio, striving to reach a creative "peak", and once there, start over on the next piece. The process is neverending. Albert Camus, the French existentialist, in his essay The Myth of Sisyphus, used this myth to illustrat his notion that reaching one’s final destination is not of utmost importance. In fact, if one "reconsiders Sisyphus", as Camus suggests, the struggle or journey reveals itself as, ultimately, the most meaningful—an idea that I, and many others, believe is central to the creative process. EDUCATION Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, M.F.A., Cornell Graduate Fellowship in Sculpture, 1976 Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, B.F.A. cum laude, Sculpture, Ceramics and Glass, 1974
Blossom Festival School, Cleveland-Kent, Ohio, 1973, Studied with Richard Stankiewicz, Richard Hunt
St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, 1970-72
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2012
1stDibs seller since 2013
144 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wells, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- John Van Alstine - Rockslide '22, Sculpture 2022By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTStone and metal, usually granite or slate, and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major focus. On the most basic level, the work ...Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSlate, Steel
- Santiago Medina - INFINITY (OUTDOOR MONUMENTAL), Sculpture 2022By Santiago MedinaLocated in Greenwich, CTThis sculpture is made out of Outdoor Marine Italian Stainless Steel. This sculpture will be shipped directly from the artist's studio.Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Santiago Medina - COSMOS TABLE TOP, Sculpture 2022By Santiago MedinaLocated in Greenwich, CTItalian Stainless Steel With Hyperthermal Prismatic Patina This sculpture will be shipped directly from the artist's studio.Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsMetal, Stainless Steel
- INFINITY (OUTDOOR MONUMENTAL)By Santiago MedinaLocated in Greenwich, CTThis sculpture is made out of Outdoor Marine Italian Stainless Steel. This sculpture will be shipped directly from the artist's studio.Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Joel Urruty - JibjabBy Joel UrrutyLocated in Greenwich, CTAs an artist I strive to create elegant sculptures that capture the true essence of the subject matter. Form, line and surface are used as the visual language. The figure is abstract...Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsWood, Mahogany, Lacquer, Pigment
- Joel Urruty - State of Mind, Sculpture 2024By Joel UrrutyLocated in Greenwich, CTMedium: reclaimed wood, pigment and lacquer As an artist I strive to create elegant sculptures that capture the true essence of the subject matter. Form, line and surface are used a...Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsWood, Lacquer, Pigment
You May Also Like
- "Unfolding the Magic" Kevin Box Folding Planes SculptureBy Kevin BoxLocated in Scottsdale, AZ"Unfolding the Magic" There is something magical about Kevin Box’s sculptures. Each one of them is an ode to imagination, to simplicity, to childhood fun. Viewers, however, experienc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Bronze, Steel
- Renewed - Contemporary Silver Metal Organic Modern Still Life Steel SculptureBy Granville BealsLocated in Los Angeles, CAInspired by dance and weightlessness, Granville Beals' industrial metal sculptures are primarily about relationships. Concerned with form and abstraction, he does not merely manipula...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Illumetric: RectangleBy Shana MabariLocated in New York, NYIllumetric: Rectangle, 2014 Acrylic, Steel, LED lighting 3 x 2 x 10 feet (91 x 61 x 305 cm) Edition of 3 Shana Mabari is a Los Angeles-based artist exploring the intersections ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSteel
- You put the magic in meBy Dionisios FragiasLocated in New York, NYDionisios Fragias is a New York -based artist born on the Greek island of Kefalonia and raised in New York City. He is the protege of the artist Jeff Koons whose years-long mentorshi...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- Memory PalaceBy Dionisios FragiasLocated in New York, NYDionisios Fragias is a New York -based artist born on the Greek island of Kefalonia and raised in New York City. He is the protege of the artist Jeff Koons whose years-long mentorshi...Category
2010s Abstract Impressionist Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- Minotaur BouquetBy Dionisios FragiasLocated in New York, NYDionisios Fragias is a New York -based artist born on the Greek island of Kefalonia and raised in New York City. He is the protege of the artist Jeff Koons whose years-long mentorshi...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel