Thematic Exhibition
For the research on developing a thematic exhibition, we will explore the theme of Dynamic artworks with the Aphrodite of Milos being the main object. In art, visual dynamics is the energy that visual elements create in art composition. In essence, dynamic artworks are unique as they can give a visual of action as opposed to the fixed ideas by static artwork. Thus, they open the world to different views and conversations about society. The sculpture of Venus de milo has been thought throughout history to describe art that grows and changes. According to Andrew et al., 2018, its shape is believed to be the expression of ideal beauty; the body of the statue conforms to the golden ratio of the human body. Therefore, the research will focus on the importance of dynamic artwork with the Aphrodite of Melos being the main object. The other art pieces that will support the study will include Diana of Versailles, Donatello’s Bronze David, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Dynamic artworks express the smooth flow of the eye, which is guided by the continuity of the artwork from one form to another to express feelings, and human emotion.
In 1820, at the Aegean island of Melos, the graceful statue of Aphrodite of Melos was found in pieces and later reconstructed into a standing posture with the body form maintained. The sculpture is made up of two blocks of marble, but art researchers have contended that the figure was made of several parts that were sculpted separately and then fixed together using vertical pegs. This technique was widely used in Ancient Greece. Initially, the Venous Di Milo wore bracelet, earrings, and headband, which are not in the modern art piece, yet the fixation points remain as the reminder of the metal jewelry. On discovery, the statue was given to Louis XVIII, who later donated it to the Louvre (Stokstad, 2007, pp. 102–157). Key to note is the half-naked nature and the missing arms. The statue is a clear representation of the sculptural research that was happening in Greece during the late Hellenistic period. Due to the disappeared marble, the restoration of the sculpture was difficult. For that reason, the statue is one that is surrounded by mystery and holding a variety of attributes. Speculation of the missing hands has made the sculpture be a dynamic artwork as there are many expressions and variants of ideas as held by art critics. Some say the hands may have held a bow or an amphora, some claim is an apple, and some claim she held a mirror or shield in which she admired her beauty. Popularly, her half nakedness, feminine and sensual curves, have made many to view Venous as the goddess of the love of Melo. Her origin in an Island in Melo has some thinking she might be Goddess of the Sea or rather Amphitrite (Wilson, 2013, pp. 14–112). Her dynamism appears through the expression of feelings and emotions, as described by art enthusiasts on nature.
Diana of Versailles, a Roman times sculpture, is also known in the art world as the goddess of the hunt
. The statue is an oversized marble art of Diana, through the dynamic form, Artemis was described by holding a deer and making way to her quiver to find an arrow for the hunt. It has shown the talent of hunting and the heroism of Artemis. More importantly, the sculpture communicates with society about feminism by the image of the noble hunting goddess of Artemis. The other object to support the dynamic artwork theme is the Donatello Bronze David. It is a medial time sculpture of a free-standing statue in the nude. David is portrayed as a lovely shepherd boy with a shepherd’s hat, his right hand holding a sword and the severed head of Goliath under his feet. His face is relaxed and a little proud. His gesture of triumph and the nudity is symbolic as art lovers argue that it represents the triumph of civic virtues in the face of brutality. Furthermore, in modern times it has been one of the art that is used in and around conversations surrounding sexuality (Gagarin, 2010). The third object proposed is the Winged Victory of Samothrace, also called the Nike of Samothrace. It was discovered in the 19th Century but seemed to have been created in the 2nd century BC. The sculpture presents a form of incompleteness and damage. Despite the incompleteness, artists and critics are continually impressed by the mastery of form and movement expressed by the artwork.
The research on the Aphrodite of Melos and the other three objects which occur at different times offer different viewpoints. Artists and critics can employ the nature of these pieces to express the dynamic nature of the art. Comparing the range from Aphrodite of Melos to the Nike of Samothrace, it is clear that missing parts give art a dynamic view as they elicit different discussions by different art enthusiasts, artists, and critics. Vibrant art also offers social meaning to art through the various postured sculptures, such as feminism, pursuing peace, and sexuality. Dynamic artwork, as opposed to static artwork, gives the art life and meaning.
Works Cited
Andrew, Kevlian, et al. “Does the Venus de Milo have a Spinal Deformity?” Cureus, 2018.
Gagarin, M., 2010. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome. Oxford University Press on Demand.
Kousser, Rachel. “Creating the Past: The Vénus de Milo and the Hellenistic Reception of Classical Greece.” American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 109, no. 2, 2005, pp. 227-250.
Stokstad, M., 2007. Art, A Brief History, with Art Notes. Pearson, Prentice-Hall.
Wilson, N., 2013. Encyclopedia of ancient Greece. Routledge.
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