Dan Chen

Barnyard Game - Chess

2023

Edition #9/26 - Original bronze sculpture by Dan Chen. Signed on bronze sculpture.

Edition #3/27 - Original bronze sculpture by Dan Chen. Signed on bronze sculpture.

Edition #20/27 - Original bronze sculpture by Dan Chen. Signed on bronze sculpture.

Edition #4/27 - Original bronze sculpture by Dan Chen. Signed on bronze sculpture.

"‘Animal Kingdom’ borrows its structure, symbolism and dynamics from the game of Chess. It mirrors our daily battles, as active fighters or witnesses, to succeed, to be better, to adapt to an ever-shifting habitat and not be swallowed. Chess is essentially a symbolic war and the mix of analysis, intuition and strategy it requires offers metaphors that are constantly used in everyday conversations, even by people that know very little about it. I drew the vertical format from chess theory books and digital chess software where board and pieces are designed flat on the page, for lack of the third dimension. Theories, quiz, computer programs, digital analysis, online games are tools to get better at being prepared so by adopting the vertical format I wanted to stress the point that sometimes the battle is against yourself. All characters are reinterpreted through my work around imagined psychological traits that lend meaning from their names, their shapes and the moves they are able to perform. The King pulls the strings. When he capitulates the game ends, which makes him the most important piece. He moves only one square at a time, in any direction, comparatively weak considering what some other pieces can do. Generally he becomes active and important in endgames, when fewer threats are on the board, but during opening and middle game he tends to hide behind his army and sends every other piece to die in order to protect himself. For this reason I picked the Pig (Sus Scrofa domestica) from Napoleon in G.Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ to put emphasis on his greed, ambition and mastery in manipulative arts typical of the Conqueror personality type. The Queen is the most powerful piece. Her freedom of movement makes her highly unpredictable. She is fierce, focused, furious. Her outfit is inspired by a bust of Elizabeth the First I found while researching. I thought the ruffle would be consonant to her stature. The Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) looked like a perfect choice to complete her character. The Bishop moves diagonally and is lightning fast. He’s oblique by definition, speaking from dark corners. I opted for a reptile, cold blooded and thick-skinned, callous and sly. I used a Basilisk lizard (Basiliscus Basiliscus). The Basilisk is also known as the ‘Jesus Lizard’ because their gravity-defying speed allows them to move their legs so fast that they can walk on water when threatened, using its thin surface as support. The Knight had to be a horse (Equus ferus caballus) and I used the uniform of a General for his outfit. I sculpted the bridles to state some form of restraint from a superior authority and also to echo their predetermined L shaped movements. The Rook moves squarely and becomes devastating along an open file or line. During sieges Rams were used to enter Castles breaking through the main gate...

"Untitled 4.20" Chess Photography 24' x 35' in Edition of 10 by García De Marina García de Marina was born in Gijón (Spain) in 1975. He emerged thr...

Created in 2008 A unique and original work of art. Engraved brass, metal and glass slab. 32 pieces made of silver engraves brass with a dark brown finish. Sharkskin support ...

Arman, French American (1928-2005) Gambit (Chess pieces) Cast Bronze Sculpture with patina Incised signature near lower edge, 48/70 with impressed "Bronze Romain & Fils" foundry ma...