Dry-Point Printmaking
Exhibition Text
Both pieces are based on the sculptor Giambologna's work, 'Rape of the Sabine Women' and 'Samson Slaying a Philistine'. I wanted to critique two of the most prevalent issues in modern-day America, by modernizing the figures in modern-day wear and presenting them through a modern art style, inspired by a contemporary artist, Erik Jones, who incorporates geometrical shapes and figures in his various works.
Inspiration
Giambologna was a flemish sculptor during the mannerism and renaissance periods. In 1562 he finished the marble sculpture ‘Samson Slaying a Philistine’ and in 1583 he finished the marble sculpture ‘Rape of the Sabine Women’.
I wanted to use Giambologna’s ‘Rape of the Sabine Women’ because I felt it would be a good representation of victims of sexual assault today in society, specifically women, often being targeted by men. I wanted to incorporate both Giambologna’s sculptures and incorporate some contemporary art designs so that it would signify the unfortunate relevance with sexual assault in America today. Ironically, the original title was ‘Abduction of the Sabine Women’ which represented the story of Romulus and the Sabine women. It is told that the Romans had very very female neighbors, and in turn wanted to make their closest Sabine female neighbors their wives. The women were suspicious at such an offer, and declined numerous times. However, that didn’t stop Romulus from receiving what he sought for, and therefore resulted in many women being taken against their will from their homes. Over time the name has changed due to the Italian title, getting slightly lost in translation as abduction became rape. Even though the story may be misconstrued throughout the years, it is a powerful piece representing male dominance over women. The slightly older man kneeling with his hand covering his eyes, I felt was the perfect representation of society. Society tends to turn a blind eye to things that don’t positively impact or occur within the country, leaving it easier to look away than to face these issues and fight against it. Sexual assault, especially with the #metoo movement and celebrities have become more outspoken these past few years, as it should be. It used to be that of a “hush hush don’t tell” occurrence, leaving the victim powerless and helpless, as the public pretends nothing is happening.
‘Samson Slaying a Philistine’ is a bible story from the old testament of Samson. For me, this piece was more of a structural inspiration than a historical story. The amount of anger and strength Samson omits is quite fascinating. Immigration has become that of a rather large spectacle in America since the elections. Treatment of immigrants has been rather disturbing and inhumane in my personal opinion. Placing the ICE worker as Samson and the immigrant as that of a Philistine sends a strong statement of villainy and the victim. However it is such a topic I feel strongly about, which I only feel it is appropriate to express it in such exaggerated measures. Knowing the biblical story makes it even more powerful. Samson crushed jaw bones of those of the Philistines. But, ICE has been known to use excessive force, and careless behavior. The recent events at the border on November 26th 2018, were truly upsetting, considering the many women and children involved. Although both pieces are highly controversial, they are both strong issues I feel need to be brought to awareness in society, especially today, with them occurring each day.
I wanted to use Giambologna’s ‘Rape of the Sabine Women’ because I felt it would be a good representation of victims of sexual assault today in society, specifically women, often being targeted by men. I wanted to incorporate both Giambologna’s sculptures and incorporate some contemporary art designs so that it would signify the unfortunate relevance with sexual assault in America today. Ironically, the original title was ‘Abduction of the Sabine Women’ which represented the story of Romulus and the Sabine women. It is told that the Romans had very very female neighbors, and in turn wanted to make their closest Sabine female neighbors their wives. The women were suspicious at such an offer, and declined numerous times. However, that didn’t stop Romulus from receiving what he sought for, and therefore resulted in many women being taken against their will from their homes. Over time the name has changed due to the Italian title, getting slightly lost in translation as abduction became rape. Even though the story may be misconstrued throughout the years, it is a powerful piece representing male dominance over women. The slightly older man kneeling with his hand covering his eyes, I felt was the perfect representation of society. Society tends to turn a blind eye to things that don’t positively impact or occur within the country, leaving it easier to look away than to face these issues and fight against it. Sexual assault, especially with the #metoo movement and celebrities have become more outspoken these past few years, as it should be. It used to be that of a “hush hush don’t tell” occurrence, leaving the victim powerless and helpless, as the public pretends nothing is happening.
‘Samson Slaying a Philistine’ is a bible story from the old testament of Samson. For me, this piece was more of a structural inspiration than a historical story. The amount of anger and strength Samson omits is quite fascinating. Immigration has become that of a rather large spectacle in America since the elections. Treatment of immigrants has been rather disturbing and inhumane in my personal opinion. Placing the ICE worker as Samson and the immigrant as that of a Philistine sends a strong statement of villainy and the victim. However it is such a topic I feel strongly about, which I only feel it is appropriate to express it in such exaggerated measures. Knowing the biblical story makes it even more powerful. Samson crushed jaw bones of those of the Philistines. But, ICE has been known to use excessive force, and careless behavior. The recent events at the border on November 26th 2018, were truly upsetting, considering the many women and children involved. Although both pieces are highly controversial, they are both strong issues I feel need to be brought to awareness in society, especially today, with them occurring each day.
Planning
Drawing the two marble statues was quite difficult, the amount of precision and detail Giambologna put into his pieces took a lot of time and dedication. I tried my best to stay true to the figures shape and overall structure of both pieces to keep the integrity and connection strong. However, with the geometrical figures inspired by Erick Jones, I had decided to make it my own, and have the contemporary component be inspiration towards the two pieces rather than the distinct designs themselves. Upon planning, I was debating on using color after the intaglio ink had dried, however, I decided that leaving it black and white would be the option that would best suit the piece. The two sketches came out quite nice, and I had made a few minor adjustments, and, I had decided to use the two as they were to transfer onto the plate. The only thing that I wish I would have thought about before carving into the plate was the fact of the mirror image result. With the ´Rape of the Sabine Women´, it wasn't a huge problem, though with the ¨Samson Slaying a Philistine piece¨ the lettering I had placed on his jacket was flipped during the final product.
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Process and Experimentation
1. The first step within the print-making process is carving out your plate. This is the part where you want to make sure that all of your lines are deep enough for the intaglio ink to pass through to make a nice clean print. If you have any geometric pattern or straight edges, it is a great idea to use a ruler to ensure you get a clean edge.
2. The second thing you want to do, is take the paper that you would like your print to be printed on, and submerge that sheet of paper in water for about seven to eight minutes. This will make sure your print with the intaglio ink (theoretically) prints clean and smoothly.
3. Now moving onto your plate that you carved out, you want to spread a line of intaglio ink across your plate, take a squeegee, and swipe across your plate a couple of times. Making sure not to miss any lines or carvings within your plate. Then, in a circular light motion, you are going to slowly wipe away any excess ink on the plate, removing just the ink that isn't a part of your piece. If you wipe too much off it will result in a dull, light, patchy, print.
4. Next, you want to remove that sheet of paper you put in the water for about eight minutes and pat it down and let it dry for about one minute or two. Then, you are going to place a sheet of newsprint paper flat on the etching press board, and lay your wet paper, along with your plate on top of it, positioned to your preference.
Experimentation
5. You would then place a second sheet of newsprint on top of your plate, fold down the blankets, and roll the etching press over your design. After the first print (far right) I knew what I had done wrong in each step.
Trying to correct my mistakes, I had decided to not wipe off too much excess ink, and leave some excess ink on the plate. I then decided to place my plate down first, and then the sheet of paper over it to see if a different position printed better. I then decided to roll the etching press back and fourth about four times. This helped me get a more clear, bold print, compared to the first time.
Trying to correct my mistakes, I had decided to not wipe off too much excess ink, and leave some excess ink on the plate. I then decided to place my plate down first, and then the sheet of paper over it to see if a different position printed better. I then decided to roll the etching press back and fourth about four times. This helped me get a more clear, bold print, compared to the first time.
Final Prints
Compare and Contrast
Similarities
Differences
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Reflection
Overall the two pieces turned out okay, however I would have carved my plates a little differently next time, considering that my lines weren't the best, and some of the carvings I made into the plate weren't deep enough to show up. Working with the plate and the several carving tools wad hard, especially trying to get straight lines, or just smooth curving lines, like around the human figures. Detail was incredibly hard to replicate when it came to the two pieces, just because of the fact that the carving tool could only let me do so much. Over time, I would imagine your skill grows and it gradually becomes easier, however, dry-point printmaking my first time, there were some obstacles. I also wish I would have colored the two pieces, or at least the geometrical figures, because then it would have a stronger connection to Jones' artwork, and I think it would have made them look better. Although they look okay as black and white pieces, I think color would have brought the contrast and value of the piece to a higher level, and really showcased the main figures, making them the focal point of the piece, rather than background.
Bibliography
Museum, Albert. “Giambologna's Samson and a Philistine.” Introduction to 20th-Century Fashion, Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL. Telephone +44 (0)20 7942 2000. Email [email protected], 29 Aug. 2013, www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/giambolognas-samson-and-a-philistine/.
Pritchard, Sharon. “Giambologna, Abduction of a Sabine Woman.” Smarthistory, 8 Sept. 2016, smarthistory.org/giambologna-abduction-of-a-sabine-woman/.
Thinkspace Prokects. “Erik Jones.” Thinkspace Projects, 2018, thinkspaceprojects.com/artists/erik-jones/.
Pritchard, Sharon. “Giambologna, Abduction of a Sabine Woman.” Smarthistory, 8 Sept. 2016, smarthistory.org/giambologna-abduction-of-a-sabine-woman/.
Thinkspace Prokects. “Erik Jones.” Thinkspace Projects, 2018, thinkspaceprojects.com/artists/erik-jones/.