The Automotive Fine Arts Society Magazine   Home Departments Sketches Contours Detours AFAS Book Stop About AFAS Feedback Marketplace Printed Back Issues Detours Detours Page 1 Detours Page 2 25th AFAS Show New Work Whinn Profile Braun Revisit Select Issue Volume 1, Number 1 Premiere Edition, August 2010 Welcome to the very first online edition of the afasJournal.com, which coincides with the 25th annual AFAS Premiere Exhibition at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concour d' Elegance. On behalf of AFAS I would also like to extend a gracious welcome and thank you to our new sponsor, AUDI. The Society is looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the company. In my opinion AUDI is one of the most forward thinking companies in the world. When you have a company behind you with all of it's heritage, build prowess, and racing history, it can only inspire artists to push beyond their normal limits of conventional thinking. Automobiles have on many occasions been called rolling sculptures, and, I agree. I believe that artist's primary objective is to capture the essence of the automobile in his or her own unique style. I offer the following opinions of what makes a great sculpture. Therefore, I question some of the 'established' criteria put forth by previous generations. Modernist sculpture teaches that one must remain true to the inherent qualities of the material itself. I disagree. Art historian Daniel Robbins once said, "The cardinal virtues of sculpture are monumentality and repose." I disagree. He went on to say that, "It is 'cheating' to produce transient effects of light or frozen motion." I disagree. Even Michelangelo, is supposed to have expressed the belief that, a good piece of sculpture can roll down a hill without any parts breaking off. I disagree. Art is of course subjective and there will be many opinions. I personally feel that, great art is timeless. Trends, styles, policies and politics come and go, but art, and in this case sculpture, should have all the elements that contribute to a timeless piece. Flow, rhythm, contrast, balance of juxtaposed surfaces, and how the light plays off those elements are critical. Does the sculpture evoke any emotion, or passion? John Barth is quoted as saying, "Technique in art is like technique in lovemaking: heartfelt ineptitude has it's charms and so does heartless skill but what you really want is passionate virtuosity." An artists' passion should be there for all to see and recognize. "The greater the passion, the greater the art." I believe that if it looks right, and feels right, it is right. Case in point: over the years I have completed several sculptures of the 'pontoon' fendered 250 Testa Rossa crafted by a true artist Mr. Sergio Scaglietti. When I close my eyes and run my hand across the shapes there is an unmistakable feeling inside me that this is as close to perfection that we humans can get. It is hard to put into words, but every contour, shape, and line simply feels right. Other examples would be the Bugatti 57SC Atlantic Coupe, Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso, Jaguar D type, Ferrari P4, Porsche 904GTS, and the newer offerings by coachbuilders like Audi's R8-10, Aston Martin's Rapide, and Ferrari's 458 Italia. Their shapes and forms are extremely emotional. Their surface shapes draw you in, involve you, and arouse a passion. Automotive sculpture therefore should have these same elements. Representational pieces are the universally accepted format, and are necessary to define the parameters of the subject matter. I prefer to explore a more interpretational aspect of the subject. , Each has different schools of thought which makes this all so tremendously fascinating. Artists should always strive to adhere to their personal style and intuition, and MAKE IT THEIR OWN! In my opinion this is where the value is. If you can elicit these same emotions and responses for one, two, three or more generations removed from its creation, then and only then, are they worthy to be considered great. In future editions I would like to share with you my opinions, thoughts and enthusiasm about the automobile as art, where it is and where it is going. Dennis Hoyt Tel: (503) 843-3457 7980 Blanchard Road, Sheridan, Oregon 97378 USA        25TH AFAS EXHIBITION Visit with AFAS artists that premiered their new work at the 25th Annual AFAS Premiere Art Show. NON-EXHIBITING MEMBERS Not all members could make the 25th anniversary exhibition at Pebble Beach. We look at their latest. GARY WHINN PROFILE Elected to membership in 2009, we feature the work of the Society's newest member Britain's Gary Whinn. LARRY BRAUN REVISIT It has been twenty years since our last feature of Colorado sculptor Larry Braun's work... here's a fresh look. CONTOURS A new "irregular" feature by long time AFAS member Dennis Hoyt on the future of automotive themed sculpture.                           Sketches    Detours    Book Stop    About AFAS    Journal Back Issues    CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS EDITION: Jack Juratovic Dennis Hoyt Gary Whinn Larry Braun Ken Eberts and AFAS members Advertise with us  Contact Us  Privacy Policy  Terms of Use  Disclaimer  afasJournal.com Copyright 2010 Knightbridge Publishing Inc, All Rights Reserved General Manager: Lindsay Evans Creative Head: Michael Koka Publisher: Jay Koka Knightbridge Publishing Incorporated PO Box 395, Waterloo, ON, N2J 4A9 Canada Site design, management and hosting by WEBVUES   The AFAS logo is the property of the Automotive Fine Arts Society LLC. Used with permission. 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