| FEATURED ARTWORK: Russian artist Andrey Didyk’s Sculpture from Sand |
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May 5, 2011
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ArtistaMundo’s Featured Artwork this month is a series of bas- and haute-reliefs made of sand by Andrey Didyk, an artist from Penza, Russia. Andrey studied management and economics in the university and fell into creating his sculptures after spending time in documentary filmmaking involving sand. His technique “SCULPTURE FROM SAND” is laborious and has developed over several years. To see more of his work, visit his page www.artistamundo.com/sand.
We talk to Andrey about his technique of sculpture from sand and how other ethnic cultures influence his work:
Q. How did you get involved in the sand technique?
A: Basically it started in West Palm Beach, Florida where I met a wonderful photographer and documentary filmmaker from Ukraine named Peter Vekslyarskiy. In the evenings after work, he told me about his work in documentary film and photojournalism, and I became very interested. After returning to Russia, I started photographing everything that I liked. Six months later I returned to Florida with photos for review. We discussed and talked, and I got a lot of advice and experience. Upon returning, I continued to work in photography and later opened a private photo studio were I shot photography and experimented with documentary movies.
In working on my second film, I began my story with sand. I discussed the creative component with a video operator and got the idea to insert “Sand art” (animation on glass) in the movie. I tried it and really enjoyed it, so I closed my studio and began to engage in sand animation. I began to think how I can use the sand. As a child I loved to sculpt from plasticine (I went to art school for children for two years -- this is where my art education ends). I have spent two years working on the technology and finally developed my technique I call “SCULPTURE FROM SAND.”
Q: What is the process of “SCULPTURE FROM SAND”?
A: The technology of “SCULPTURE FROM SAND ” is not to be confused with “SAND SCULPTURE ” (which you can see on the beach). The process is laborious and takes time. For example “La primavera de gracias” is the bottle of wine with a haut-relief from river sand. I create this artwork over 12 months. "La Cafe" took about 6 months; "Hieroglyph" about 3 months. I have spent two years working out the technology and I continue this process. The technology is not new, as it was used by all masters in the past, but today is used seldom. I just reworked the technique for sand.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for your work?
A: To be honest this is a question to muse. The inspiration comes and my body embodies it. I do not know what will be the subject, form, composition. It sounds strange, but I'm just watching the process. Most often, the inspiration comes when I enjoy coffee and cigarettes. This kind of dialogue between the muse and me for a cup of coffee.
Q: Your work seems to incorporate themes from other cultures (Japan and Spain, for example). How do you bring this into your work?
A: I love the ethnic culture of various countries. I find sincerity and purity in the artwork of ancient masters. In fact, I'm interested in the spiritual aspect of ethnicities. Their view of the world. Not dependent on nationality. I always thought that our ancestors knew more of what there is to know. Sure, to create a Japanese hieroglyph you must be Japanese. I understand that noone does it better than the “keepers of culture.” So I try to only add an ethnic component to my work, but not copy them. Ethnic characteristics allow me to express an idea.
Photo Credit: "Japanese hieroglyph (gladness)" sculpture from sand by Andrey Didyk
© 2011, ArtistaMundo.com
To contact Alexandra Figueredo, the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com. |
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