Compare and contrast
Many cultures across the world have used sculptures as visual art to communicate to viewers in three dimensions. Unlike other genres, sculptures are very unique because they are able to give a viewer instant communication. Those meant for public display are usually made from durable material like clay, wood, ceramics or metals by modeling or carving. In modern society, sculptures have been created through welding, casting or molding (Boucher 656).
The two images are sculptural representation of the feeling of love. In one visual art the word love is carved with the first two letters seating on the last two letters. The external surface of the letters are painted in red color while they are painted blue in the inside and they are both resting on a well carted block which has been painted in black color. In the background, people are walking and tall buildings exist. This shows that the picture was taken in a city on a very busy street. The second picture shows two people; a man and a woman seated on a stump and are kissing. Both of them are naked perhaps to show that they were preparing to make love. The photo must have been taken on a maroon background because their no other features in the background. The two sculptures supports the hypothesis that sculptures can be used to communicate more intimate meanings depending on how much information the artist wants to communicate. This hypothesis is supported by the pictures of the two sculptures with the kiss sculpture being very clear and specific and therefore arousing more feelings than the love sculpture (Calkins 456).
A person looking at the Kiss sculpture is likely to know the specific feelings in the sculpture. In particular, the sculpture communicates its feelings more directly and specially compared to the love sculpture. The kiss sculpture represents a relationship between two people; a man and a woman who are voluntarily engaging an act of love making. The kiss sculpture clearly communicates the feeling of intimacy and sexual arousal. It is obvious that the people the sculpture represents are ready to make love. The love sculpture on the other hand has a mere word ‘love’ properly painted in blue and red colors. The word is very relative and the viewer is not able to specifically say which kind of love the sculpture represents. Since it is not very specific the viewer can easily pass it without getting any feeling or without arousing any reaction. No wonder the artist has put it strategically in the city so that it does not create a lot of attention from people who are passing in the background. It is obvious that the love sculpture is very relative and can be interpreted in many ways. Passers by can think that the artist wanted to demonstrate their love for the city or even themselves. They can also think that the artist wanted to encourage people to love others better than they were doing and therefore encourage them top take care of each other in love. It could also be used to remind people about the things the love so much; perhaps their families, their religion, traditions, origin, race or even their material things (Calkins 301).
The artist’s use of the background also sends to different information. The love sculpture is displayed on a street in a very busy town. It therefore means that it is meant for public viewing and it is not in any way for private purposes. In contrast, the kiss sculpture has a dark maroon background and in fact on the left end there is a shadow. This shows that the sculpture is not necessary for public viewing and should be put at a censored place where only selected people can see it. For example, it can be put in a place where only adults of twenty one years and above can see it. If it were put on street, it would create a very difficult situation for people traveling with their children because children would possibly ask embarrassing questions (Boucher 452).
A part from the strong feelings aroused by the kiss sculpture, it also represents a more acting scene than the love sculpture. The elements in the sculpture are more in action than in the love sculpture. They man is a little bit raised than the woman and one can easily see that there lips are touching; their hands are passionately holding each other. The man’s hand is romantically touching the woman’s thigh while the woman is supporting herself with the man’s neck. Both elements are seated on a raised ground, a position they can easily use to make to make love.
Finally, the two sculptures communicate different themes in unique ways. The kiss structure has themes like romance, sex, intimacy and perhaps romantic love depending on the viewer’s interpretation compared to the love sculpture which has themes like happiness, satisfaction, good health, wealth and fulfillment.
In conclusion, the two sculptures are a different expression of the meaning of the word love which can mean very many things to many people in many places. The kiss sculpture represents love between two people who are in love and the things people in love do together like kissing and making love. The love sculpture on the other hand is very relative and is open to the viewer’s interpretation.
Works Cited
Boucher, Bruce. Italian Baroque Sculpture, New York: Thames & Hudson, 1998. Print.
Calkins, Robert. Monuments of Medieval Art, California: Dutton, 1979. Print.
