DORYPHORUS
2000, bronze / granite, 112"h x 40"w x 28"d

(available)

installation at Bridgehampton Gardens, Bridgehampton, New York - Long Island

with Sinopoli dancers - Opalka Gallery exhibiti 2012

As its title suggests, this work was inspired and pays homage to the classical greek sculpture by Polyclitus, DORYPHORUS (Spear Bearer) c.450-440 B.C. This Greek work (below) is a quintessential example of contropposto (counterpoise), the Italian word we use to describe the “S-like” vertical line (or, to be exact, a reverse S-curve) that runs through figurative sculpture. It is this development that allowed the Greeks to convincingly convey motion or life in a non moving piece of stone.

Van Alstine's granite and bronze "Doryphorus" convincingly exhibits the reverse "S" curve. His attraction and affection for this period of classical work is precisely because of the way the ancients were able to breath life and movement into inanimate materials, a concept at the very core of his work for over 25 years.