The potential conceit of the contemporary artist lies in a notion that success requires each has a polymathic mindset: to have attained expertise and deep understanding in a broad and significant number of subjects. The ‘artist as ubermensch’ may be a fitting moniker given the lofty realms of this transcending necessity.
Through western societal paradigms, financial systems and technology we place great emphasis on the individual and a sense of self-worth or self-potential. It’s not surprising that we see a rise of interest in our individuality and at times an over-emphasis on the importance of just one person. We place great emphasis on personal wealth and use it as a marker to designate the best of us. Those who play the game well rise to the top and are lauded, praised and glorified.
The God Complex is used to emote and effect a response. To delve deeper into the human condition, our foibles, tendencies, and limitations. It highlights underlying notions of elitism, superiority, separation, transcendence, narcissism and an essential desire to apply meaning to what might otherwise appear existentially empty…
As artists and creatives it is difficult to separate ourselves from the work. The art is fundamentally imbued with self, regardless of how far we think we are separated from it. We make decisions, investigate, explore, construct, and each time we personally shape and affect the outcome. It’s ours, we created it. We are gods of our own small worlds.
This volume delves into the very human idea of creator, master and control. A desire to give meaning and attain understanding. It is a look at the ego. It is about a sense of place, value and identity.
I am proud to present the eclectic and nuanced response to A God Complex.
“God is dead…what sacred games shall we have to invent?”
Nietzsche
Editor-in-chief Daniel Lingham
Title: Sculptorvox
Editor: Daniel Lingham
Contributors: Numerous
Edition: Volume 3 – A God Complex
Publication date: Spet 2019
Description:
We play a round of Top Trump with LA based South American artist Julio Orta, ruminate on the machinations of Damien Hirst beneath ‘The Bust of The Collector’ with Alex Baddeley, and take a long view on the art of using other’s work through the lens of Puppies Puppies by Hannah Nussbaum in ‘Mr Potato Head’.
From original pieces of writing, to photographic work, art, interviews and sculpture, we take a broad and eclectic look at the processes and inspirations for the contemporary sculptural artist.
Contributors:
Alex Baddeley
Gabriella Sonabend
Emma Bani-Walker
Hannah Honeywill
Michael Koch
Ritchard Allaway
Vasily Kononov-Gredin
Martina Mullaney
Emanuele Vara
Jacob Lombard
Julio Orta
Hannah Nussbaum
Isabella Eyre & Janieta Eyre
John Carney
Anders Aarvik
Matthew Lloyd
Graham Keddie
John O’Hare
Adeline de Monseignat
Stefan Gunnesch
https://www.instagram.com/sculptorvox
