Gil Bruvel's The Water: A Brief Analysis

Gil Bruvel created "The Wind" as a part of his "Flow" series in 2010. The sculpture is the face of a woman as the wind blows gently across her skin. The work is stainless steel and measures 16 inches high by 22 inches wide by 14 inches in diameter and weighing approximately 55 pounds. (Bruvel) Christopher David White created "Asphyxia" in 2013 as he continued to explore his theme of "growth and decay". His sculpture is of a woman's face as she gasps for her last breath of air. The ceramic and acrylic work measures 11 inches high by 9 inches wide and is 11 inches in diameter.(TwistedSifter) Gil Bruvel’s “The Wind” and Christopher David White’s “Asphyxia” are both beautiful sculptures of a woman’s head. Both sculptures have an ethereal quality that evokes emotion from the viewer. Yet these hauntingly beautiful sculptures were achieved through very different techniques and materials. The subject matter, compositions, use of line, space and balance are similar in both sculptures. While the use of color, texture, mood and symbolism of the subjects differ greatly.
The sculptures are both of a female face. Both
faces are tilted slightly back breaking off just above the hair line. In Bruvel's figure the face is tilted back to enjoy the "flow" of "the wind". Even though the work is in stainless steel the viewer can see how the figure has tilted her head back slightly to take in the breeze. The viewer can see the detail of the wind sweeping across her skin and blowing her hair up and back. In White's figure the woman's head is tilted back in despair. His work is ceramic and acrylic made to appear as wood. The female has hair that is swept up and ends just above her hair line. The viewer can see and feel the asphyxiation of the woman. She has the look of death written all over her face, especially in the depths of her eyes.
Both faces are formed by detailed line work which gently moves across the faces to express the emotion of the figure and evoke emotion from the viewer. "The Wind" is configured using ribbons of steel form the lines of the face. These lines move in different directions just as the wind would move across the face. The lines are full of energy and bring a light and airy feel the sculpture. "Asphyxia" has lines carved into the ceramic. These lines vary greatly in width and depth, but all of the lines move upward giving the feeling that the soul of the woman is moving up and away with her last breath.
Both sculptures use positive and negative space to bring balance to the work and the surrounding area. Bruvel uses negative space in the facial features as well as the positive/negative interaction between the ribbons of steel. For example the staggered steel on the figures left shoulder is continued on the right side of her neck helping to create a flow as the viewer’s eyes move up to the negative space in the figures slightly perused lips and half open eyes. The negative space created by the hairline works to draw the viewer and the surrounding environment into the sculpture. The hairline echoes the flow of the right shoulder to give the sculpture balance. White plays with the relationship between the positive and negative space in his sculpture. This helps to draw the viewer into the sculpture. Viewers are drawn in by the negative space of the dark mouth and the depth White is able to create in her sad, desperate eyes. White also uses the jagged hairline to create a play on space. The figure has a black fluid that appears to be dripping from the back of her head. The viewer catches the fluid just as it drips from the back of her head and splashes onto the surface behind the head creating a further play on space and balance.

While both Bruvel and White deal with air in their sculptures, they deal with the opposite meanings. Wind is defined as: “ the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction; breath as needed in physical exertion or in speech.” Asphyxia is defined as: “a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death; suffocation.” (Dictionary) So while Bruvel deals with an overabundance of air and life, White deals with the lack of air and death.
“The Wind” is sculpted out of stainless steel. The material Bruvel uses for the sculpture are stainless steel; which I found unusual because he wants these sculptures to have a light and lyrical movement. He achieves these elements by modeling the figures in zbrush first and 3-d printing the figures for a mold to pour the steel.( Pixologic ) “The Wind” is mentally and visually stimulating. In his sculpture, Bruvel is visually depicting a physical sensation of how the elements affect us emotionally. The steel ribbons are delicate and moving as the wind blows across the figures skin. Bruvel created a sculpture that appears delicate yet sturdy.
“Asphyxia” is a ceramic sculpture. White’s choice to use ceramic for the sculpture was amazing to me because the element of trompe l’oeil; the face appears to be carved into a hyper realistic piece of wood. White achieves this by sculpting the face in extraordinary detail and casting the ceramics and then a detailed painting in acrylic. “Asphyxia” is also mentally and visually stimulating. In his sculpture, White is visually depicting the emotion of one’s last breath. The figure appears sad and angry; yet calm all at the same time. He uses the black fluid streaming from the orifices of her face to further punctuate his idea. White created a sculpture that appears heavy laden yet it is a very delicate piece.
“The Wind” is a monochromatic, smooth sculpture. Though void of color, the stainless steel sculpture does reflect the colors of the surrounding in which it is placed. “Asphyxia” is painted with acrylic and a rough wooden texture. Blacks, blues, greys and browns are used to render the feel wood.
“The Wind” and “Asphyxia” are beautiful creations.
At first glance the viewer will notice similarities in composition, lines and play on space. But after further observation the divergence in subject and mood bring out the many differences. “The Wind” is a whimsical, rhythmic sculpture that captures the joy of the wind on your face and skin. In “The Wind”, Gil Bruvel clearly translates his message that “the natural strength and quiet majesty inherent in integrating the various levels of existence.” (Dichotomy) “Asphyxia” is a dark, realistic sculpture that seizes the moment that death overtakes the body. In “Asphyxia” artist Christopher David White is able to perfectly translate his message of “growth and decay- of life and death”. (White) Two beautiful, bewitching faces, by two magnificent artists that have inspired me to create at that level
someday.

Bibliography:
"The Wind." - The Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.
"Hyperrealistic ‘Wood’ Sculptures That Are Actually Made of Ceramic." TwistedSifter. 2014. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.
Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.
"Pixologic :: Interview :: Gil Bruvel." Pixologic :: Interview :: Gil Bruvel. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.
"Dichotomy." - The Collection. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.
"Artist Statement." Christopher David White’s Artist Statement. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.