Auguste Rodin was a French sculptor; usually considered the progenitor of modern sculpture. But actually Rodin did not set out to revolutionary against the past. He was educated traditionally; took a craftsman-like advance to his work; and desired academic respect; although he was never accepted into Pariss leading school of art. Many of his most notable sculptures were severely criticized during his lifetime. They clashed with the predominant figure sculpture tradition; in which works were decorative; formulaic; or highly thematic. Rodins most original work departed from traditional themes of mythology and allegory; modeled the human body with realism; and celebrated individual character. It was the freedom and creativity with which Rodin used these practices ndash; along with his activation surfaces of sculptures through traces of his own touch and with his more open attitude toward bodily pose; sensuality; and non-realistic surface ndash; that marked Rodins re-making of traditional 19th century sculptural techniques into the prototype for modern sculpture.Sketcher; painter; engraver; sculptor and collector; Auguste Rodin is recognized worldwide for the exceptional authenticity of his anatomical sculptures; but drawing was his means of discovering "truth" in life and in art: for him "good" drawing represented truth and simplicity in nature; bad" drawing was self-conscious; mannered in its representation; and often displayed an ignorance of nature or inexact observation with attempts to mask it with artifice. Rodin was a prolific draughtsman; producing some 10;000 drawings. His drawings were seldom used as studies or projects for a sculpture or monument. Although the works on paper can only be shown periodically; owing to their fragility; the role they played in Rodinrsquo;s art was by no means minor.As the sculptor said at the end of his life:ldquo;Itrsquo;s very simple. My drawings are the key to my work.rdquo;
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Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Achievement with an Open MindBy LaRueArtandCopyAn achievement in rock-writing; a unique trophy among most rock literature. As a long-time loyal fan follower of REM; I am subsequently cynical quick to dismiss new books or stories over my favorite band. However; this book is a delight. Strong recommendation for those pure fans of REM the band; not just the music.The authors unusual approach initially put me off; but after a few more pages I realized the bigger picture being painted - the inviting storytelling charisma. At times the book is as enigmatic as is the band. Good read; but check the facts for more accuracy.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Raises the question of writing email interviewsBy plumnbagelThe author has obviously used email to interview people; and the result is a text that twists from one tone to anther. In an early single page; the voice goes from chippy ("And I said; Pete; lets play sometime; Ill play my bass and you play your guitar; and Pete said; No; Im not going to play with anybody until its serious and you know; it worked out for him!") to impressionistic ("...as writer Geoff Ward remembers: Green. Trailing green. Miles and miles of it; between Atlanta (where our plane touched down) and Athens; Georgia. ")In a face-to-face or even telephone interview; I suspect the writer would have quoted only the important parts of an interview; leaving out; for instance; the parentheses in the latter quote above; or the word "Georgia" at the end of the quote (as he has referred to Athens already many times).Perhaps he thought that; because text came to him in a paragraph form; he had no right to be selective in his editing. Perhaps readers feel the same way.In either case; for me the interviews had the effect of hijacking the writers book and robbing the reader of any feeling of flow over the course of the narrative.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Informative and InsightfulBy Thomas M. Manderfeld"Fiction" is a must read for any R.E.M. fan. Im always happy to pick up a book and learn something I did not know beforehand; and this book is loaded with anecdotes and quotes that had eluded me in previous books and articles Ive read on the band. The author does a great job analyzing each album and provides great interviews by the band members and those involved in the making of each album. My only complaint about the book is the constant misspellings of peoples names. i.e music executive Mo Ostin is continuously spelled Austin; and there are inaccurate song titles listed throughout. For the most part; I found "Fiction" to be a compelling look back at one of rock musics most important bands. The book boasts some wonderful photographs as well.
