George Segal is an artist that lived between 1924-2000, although at first he was a painter, he soon found interest within sculpture. He was mainly related to the pop art movement and was mostly known for his, human sized, sculptures.
method
The method Segal uses to create these casts are, to have a model within the position he wishes then with some Modroc strips (Modroc is a bandage like materials that is impregnated with plaster so when dampened it hardens while drying). He covers his model with the Modroc straps in different sections of the body and waits for the to dry, once dry he takes them off. from this he has the shape of the body. he then uses more strips to put the pieces together again.
example of the method used
This will be similar to the technique that Segal uses, expect at first Segal did not paint his sculptures.
Feeling Of His Work/ Where It Is Placed
As Modroc dries white this lead to his sculptures having a ghostly feel to them. this made an uneasy feeling around the works but also a reinsuring one as they are something we know, humans. His works where presented within public and urban places (e.g streets).
The Context Of The Work
Within this website is a timeline of Segals works, this goes through the sculptures and talks about their meanings and looks. I found this so interesting to read as it gave me a better understanding that his works at first was investigating how humans are venerable creatures, but also the position of his work is as though it is waiting for something that will never happen.
Another topic he looked at was human rights issues, were one of his sculptors was a monument towards gay rights. Although he was straight he created the four figures two males standing together and two females sitting together within a public park. These where taking in good ways and bad, as some thought it was inappropriate for him as a straight man to be making this art.
Other than gay rights, he spoke out about many different issue within the world through his art.
George Segal Sculptures, Bio, Ideas | TheArtStory
George Segal sculptures
Contextually this work relates to mine and I feel it is a very strong way to show it. as within my project i am trying to speak out on issues within society and movements that are being held back. Even thought i could face the same criticism as Segal as a straight women, who supports gay rights.
Though i have been experimenting with string, using Modroc would be a great development due to the quicker time it would take to complete the works. string takes about a week to make a full body, yet Modroc would take around 2-3 days. the ending result would be changed dreamily but possibly for the best due to it being quicker and stronger.