Items Similar to "Reconsidering Sisyphus (fallen obelisk)", Large, Industrial, Abstract Sculpture
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
John Van Alstine"Reconsidering Sisyphus (fallen obelisk)", Large, Industrial, Abstract Sculpture2020
2020
About the Item
"Reconsidering Sisyphus (fallen obelisk)" by John Van Alstine
Granite, galvanized and powder-coated steel
The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and metal, while exploring the relationship of the purely natural and the man-made. He has produced many major large scale sculpture commissions and has been exhibited widely, in both the US and Europe. He is included in the collections of the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and many others.
Granite Stone, Steel, Metal, Abstract, Industrial, Industry, Contemporary Sculpture, Balance, Obelisk, Shapes, Circles, Outdoor, Red, Large-scale
- Creator:John Van Alstine (1952, American)
- Creation Year:2020
- Dimensions:Height: 123 in (312.42 cm)Width: 102 in (259.08 cm)Depth: 43 in (109.22 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU393311010062
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
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2016
34 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 8 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- "Sisyphean Circle 8-14-17", Industrial, Abstract Sculpture in Metal & StoneBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Sisyphean Circle 8-14-17" by John Van Alstine Granite, galvanized and powder-coated steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
- "Sisyphean Circle (twirl IV)", Industrial, Abstract Sculpture in Metal & StoneBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Sisyphean Circle (twirl IV)" by John Van Alstine Granite, galvanized and powder-coated steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of st...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
- "Sisyphean Circle (homage to Major Taylor)", Industrial, Abstract SculptureBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Sisyphean Circle (homage to Major Taylor)" by John Van Alstine Slate, pigmented and sealed steel "Major Taylor's legacy lies in his willingness to chall...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
- "Sisyphean Circle (tank top)", Large-Scale, Outdoor Abstract SculptureBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Sisyphean Circle (tank top)" by John Van Alstine Riverstone, stainless, galvanized, and powder-coated steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances ...Category
2010s Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel
- "Sisyphean Circle (tefillin)", Industrial Abstract Sculpture in Stone & MetalBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"Sisyphean Circle (tefillin)" by John Van Alstine Slate and Powder-Coated, Galvanized Steel Stone, Metal, Sculpture, Abstract, Contemporary, Outdoor, Industrial, Industry, Nature, R...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSlate, Stone, Steel, Metal
- COLUMN 7-16, Contemporary Abstract Outdoor Sculpture, Stone, Metal, IndustrialBy John Van AlstineLocated in New York, NY"COLUMN 7-16" by John Van Alstine Stone, galvanized and powder-coated steel The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and metal, whi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Metal, Steel
You May Also Like
- Big Love - MediumBy Rainer LagemannLocated in Miami, FLPowder-coated stainless steel. Unique. Born in Düsseldorf, Germany on September 14th, 1959, Rainer Lagemann studied in Abitur Albert Einstein Gymnasium from 1965 - 1978. Following this, he enrolled in the University of FH Detmold (1983 - 1987) where he studied Interior architecture and got a sense of himself - learned a lot about design, furniture, architecture and art. It was only in 2005 when Lagemann started welding and found his true passion and special talent for it. Concentrating on the human body in a modern interpretation of the classic art of sculpture, Rainer is fascinated by the human body and the classic theme of artistic expression and struggle that has been depicted in all shapes, materials and mediums since the existence of mankind. Rainer's sculptures capture the human body in motion--a freeze frame of classic, timeless gestures and emotions that are both ethereal and concrete. The forms he creates are how one would imagine the grace of a Nureyev or Baryshnikov in mid-flight. Rainer uses hollow metal squares to sculpt the human form, creating works that elicit both the strength and delicacy of the body. Each square represents the trials and tribulations of life, the four corners symbolizing the intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual dimension of human beings that form the framework of the spirit and the image of the body. The hollow squares strip away distractions, leaving a powerful vision and exploration of the human body, adding an element of tangible levity and intangible abstraction. With all of Rainer's sculptures there is a secondary layer of beauty, abstraction and mystery. When darkness falls and the lights come on, the exquisite shadows of form, squares, body and spirit cast themselves upon the walls creating a second sculpture of light...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Stainless Steel
- John Van Alstine - Stormwarning V (Red Rain 3.14), Sculpture 2015By 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 is ...Category
2010s Abstract Geometric Sculptures
MaterialsSlate, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle, Sculpture 2013By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTslate/ powder coated 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 ...Category
2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Slate, Steel, Cut Steel
- John Van Alstine - Hula V, Sculpture 2017By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTHula V, John Van Alstine. 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 mo...Category
2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsSlate, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Column 7-16, Sculpture 2016By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTColumn 7-16, John Van Alstine. 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 ...Category
2010s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsGranite, Steel
- John Van Alstine - Round Mountain Landscape III, Sculpture 2015By John Van AlstineLocated in Greenwich, CTGranite/ 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 l...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsStone, Granite, Metal, Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Shape Sculpture
Industrial Sculpture
Large Metal Sculptures
Large Metal Sculpture
Large Steel Sculpture
Red Sculpture Large
Large Garden Sculptures
Large Garden Sculpture
Large Stone Sculpture
Industrial Metal Sculpture
Large Sculptures Of Man
Large Industrial Sculpture
Large Metal Sculpture Steel
Red Sculpture Steel
Metal Sculpture Man
Metal And Sculpture And Man
Outdoor Large Sculptures
Industrial Circle