Library of Sculpture

Chair:
Gordon Alt, National Sculpture Society
Board of Syndics, Library of Sculpture
Journal:
 
Our sculpture journal is developing tours of outstanding sculpture sites in Washington and elsewhere. We strongly recommend a visit to the National Sculpture Garden. A nice cafe is approximate. Other sculpture journal projects developing include a student competition and a conference on sculpture and open space challenges.
 
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Dignity and Sculpture in the Library and in the Curriculum
Paul Rich, President of Westphalia Press

       The Sculpture Library, like the other libraries of the Policy Studies Organization’s Westphalia Press, is being developed as a resource and place for conversation for teachers and students and for all interested in the arts. This is being done with the recommendations of scholars who are interested in encouraging the study of the social ramifications of sculpture and the space it occupies.
 
          Wrestling with the frequently competing directions taken by the subject, we are constantly adding to the collection with the help of many, not the least by antiquarian book dealers. Some of the books here may be old but their future and the future of sculpture will partly depend on taking advantage of the new technology that now and  in coming years is making knowledge and insight accessible worldwide via the internet. 
 
     While at times it has seemed that sculpture in the 21st century has been dominated by the outrageously avant-garde, our sculpture titles show that the classical or realistic school has never deserted the scene.  Dignity and balance, creation of order rather than chaos, are hallmarks of the books here.
 
      Dignity is important because sculpture, particularly public sculpture, has a role in creating social bonds, a sense of community, and in our sharing of common values. It is not a dated idea that was confined to the court of Queen Victoria, and frankly we need more of it today. There has been a lack of dignity to the assaults on public sculpture that while justifiably fueled by rage over the depictions by sculptures of causes like the Confederate side in the American Civil War and statues of political leaders like Russia’s Josef Stalin, have been sadly marked by the rankest vandalism and violence.
 
    There has also been very sharp debate over the desire of some artists to shock, startle, and perplex.  Novelty has been the dominant theme.  The challenge is to have strong opinions about this, but retain civility, never an easy road. Words like dignity and wisdom are not out of place in arts criticism and in considering the traditions of sculpture. In the following comments we will try to suggest some directions for serious thought.

雕塑图书馆

 

图书馆和课程中的尊严与雕塑

威斯特伐利亚出版社（Westphalia Press）董事长Paul Rich

    与政策研究组织的威斯特伐利亚出版社的其他图书馆一样，雕塑图书馆正在被开发为一个供教师、学生以及所有对艺术感兴趣的人进行交流的资源场所。这是在一系列学者的建议下完成的，他们希望鼓励有关雕塑及其空间的社会影响研究。

    为努力克服雕塑主题经常出现的竞争性方向，我们在诸多帮助下不断增加馆藏数量，尤其是古董书商的帮助。本馆收藏了部分旧书，但它们的未来以及雕塑的未来将部分取决于对新技术的利用，这类技术在当下和未来几年通过互联网让知识和见解变得可获取。

    虽然21世纪的雕塑有时似乎被极其前卫的风格所主导，但我们的雕塑书籍表明，古典或现实主义学派从未让雕塑圈失望。尊严和平衡，秩序（而非混乱）的创造，这些是本馆藏书的特点。

    尊严很重要，因为雕塑，尤其是公共雕塑，在创造社会纽带、社区感和分享共同价值观方面发挥着作用。这不是仅限于维多利亚女王宫廷的过时想法，坦率地说，我们今天需要更多这样的想法。针对公共雕塑的攻击一直缺乏尊严，虽然对诸如美国内战中南方邦联事业的雕塑以及俄罗斯约瑟夫·斯大林等政治领导人雕像的刻画有理由激起愤怒，但令人遗憾的是，这些雕塑遭到最恶劣的破坏与暴力。

    对于一些艺术家想要表达震惊和困惑的愿望，也一直存在非常激烈的争论。新颖性一直是首要主题。挑战则是在保持文明的情况下对此表达强烈的意见，这绝非易事。像尊严和智慧这样的词在批判艺术和考量雕塑传统时并非不合时宜。在下面的评论中，我们将尝试提出一些认真思考的方向。

 

Publications:

The Art of the Vatican: A Brief History of the Palace, and an Account of the Principal Works of Art Within Its Walls

by Mary Knight Potter Purchase Mary Knight Potter was born in Boston into a family of artists. While she initially studied art herself, she preferred writing. Unfortunately, she battled health ailments. In September of 1915, she had married longtime friend…Read more The Art of the Vatican: A Brief History of the Palace, and an Account of the Principal Works of Art Within Its Walls

The Art of the Exposition: Personal Impressions of the Architecture, Sculpture, Mural Decorations, Color Scheme & Other Aesthetic Aspects of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition

by Eugen Neuhaus Purchase through Amazon Eugen Neuhaus was born on August 18, 1879, in Germany. He moved to the United States in 1904, ultimately becoming a US citizen in 1911. He began teaching various art and design classes at…Read more The Art of the Exposition: Personal Impressions of the Architecture, Sculpture, Mural Decorations, Color Scheme & Other Aesthetic Aspects of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition

Oration on the Unveiling of the Statue of Samuel Francis DuPont: Rear Admiral, U.S.N., at Washington, DC on December 20, 1884

by Hon. Thomas F. Bayard Purchase through Amazon  Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont (1803-1865) served in the United States Navy, specifically during the Mexican- American War and the Civil War. His uncle, Eleuthere Irenee du Pont, was the founder…Read more Oration on the Unveiling of the Statue of Samuel Francis DuPont: Rear Admiral, U.S.N., at Washington, DC on December 20, 1884