When looking at Hanson work of art, there are some
specific elements of interest that arises. First thought that hit my mind from
this kind of sculpture was wax figures of famous people. I looked into some
different artists that produce art incorporating wax, and there is a clear
distinguishing line between the two different sculptures.
Hanson’s sculptures projects a contextual message of
some sort that has a specific conveying message with relation to time. As of just
regular wax sculptures in a wax museum you see emperor, pop stars, top
athletes, dictators, great scientist and the list goes on, but never has it
been seen that sculptures were created as a provocative message with very
realistic means.
Polyester resin and cast fiberglass are the products
used for constructing so powerful replicas of humans, and then adding thrift
store clothing to the sculptures to make them look natural. This sculpture in
specific, and the sculptures that resembles the same social norm or social
class is a way for the artist to express where American consumption has taken
the society to. He directed his art criticism against the American
consumer society. All the sculptures from there started arising feelings of
human isolation and boredom of the American middle and lower class.
Personally, I have been and seen wax figures in
different cities in Europe, and I must say that it was quite fascinating, but
through readings online and the whole art world’s comments on Duane Hanson; I
can only sit and imagine how precisely detailed it must be. I tried getting a
little closer, and thankfully YouTube has been helpful.
It is done to superb perfection, which is why our
artist here is grouped under hyper realistic artists, but quite frankly I am
sure it would at least 50% more realistic if these magnificent sculptures were
studying with closer real life proximity.
I highly encourage you to watch Duane Hanson’s work
throughout his years as an artist, and compare them to wax figures to see the
difference. A sequel to the ‘Tourists’ sculpture was made by the name
sculptures II (1988)
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