May 1999. Granite, steel. Dimensions: 6’h × 8’w × 4’d (183 cm × 244 cm × 122 cm).
Private collection - NJ
Pique à terre is a term from classical French ballet for a pose with one toe touching the ground, the other foot firmly planted, and a sweeping arm gesture. Once you are aware of the title, when you see the piece the connection is clear. I am in a sense choreographing these works, getting a heavy weight off the ground and making it dance—taking what is often seen as a negative, the fact that stone is damn heavy and a big hassle to move around, and turning it into a positive. It is this transition that helps give theses pieces their magic"*.
*from: Bones of the Earth, Spirit of the Land. The Sculpture of John Van Alstine
May 1999. Granite, steel. Dimensions: 6’h × 8’w × 4’d (183 cm × 244 cm × 122 cm).
Private collection - NJ
Pique à terre is a term from classical French ballet for a pose with one toe touching the ground, the other foot firmly planted, and a sweeping arm gesture. Once you are aware of the title, when you see the piece the connection is clear. I am in a sense choreographing these works, getting a heavy weight off the ground and making it dance—taking what is often seen as a negative, the fact that stone is damn heavy and a big hassle to move around, and turning it into a positive. It is this transition that helps give theses pieces their magic"*.
*from: Bones of the Earth, Spirit of the Land. The Sculpture of John Van Alstine
