“Spirituality in contact”

“Spirituality in contact”
The other day we had a discussion about computer modeled of dolls vs hand sculpted ones.
Recently many artists are creating dolls using 3D modeling software
We figured out why we don’t like the look of such dolls.
For a long time, we used to paint in different techniques and sculpting with different materials.
We painted a lot of portraits, and our eyes got trained to notice natural asymmetry inherent to all creatures.
When sculpting our dolls we see it through the mirror, we feel like nature is telling us how to do it and giving us examples.

When we look at 3D modeled dolls, they seem lifeless, symmetrical, mirrored, patterned…
It’s like drawing on a computer.
Watercolor for example. When it’s done on paper, paint, water, and gravity interaction, the energy of the human hand and the brush material. Breath, thoughts, and emotions of the artists, everything is being physically reflected on the creation.
Drawing on a computer is a completely different process. It’s like you go on a virtual journey instead of a real one.

When the doll is hand sculpted you can not find a single repeated or perfect dimple and line on her face and body, it seems like it’s breathing.
Every dimple, every line and texture – is a result of direct contact between the artist and it’s creation. This is a magical process.
Spirituality in contact.
Just wanted to share our thoughts. It’s our opinion and we do not impose it on anyone.

_______________

«Одухотворенность в соприкосновении»
Как-то мы дискутировали на тему компьютерного моделирования кукол.
Сейчас очень много художников создают кукол в различных 3D программах.
Для себя мы поняли, почему нам не нравится как выглядят такие куклы.
Мы долго занимались живописью в разных техниках, рисунком и лепкой скульптуры. Рисовали очень много портретов, и наше
зрение натренировалось замечать живую ассимерию, созданную природой.
В процессе лепки кукол, мы видим эту асимметрию через отражение в зеркале.
Асимметрия закладывается естественно, как будто сама природа на своих примерах научила нас это делать.
Глядя на компьютерную куклу, она кажется нам не живой, она полностью симметрична, отзеркалена, шаблонна, это смотрится грубо.

Мы рассматривали тему компьютерного моделирования под разными углами, проводили аналогии в том числе с рисованием на компьютере.
Например взять живопись акварелью. На бумаге краска взаимодействует с водой и гравитацией, с
энергией руки и материалом кисти, с дыханием и мыслями человека, с эмоциями, которые выливаются на
бумагу. Если рисовать на компьютере, это совершенно другой процесс. Это все равно чтобы отправиться в путешествие виртуально, или реально.

На скульптуре вылепленной вручную ни одна ямочка на теле и лице не повторяется, кажется, что тело как будто дышит.
Каждая ямочка, линия и текстура есть результат тонкого соприкосновение пальцев художника со своим созданием. Это магический процесс.
Одухотворенность в соприкосновении.
Это наше мнение, мы никому его не навязываем.
Просто решили поделиться с вами своими мыслями.

comments

Roy Rainwater

I totally agree with you about computer generated sculpting and art. It can be beautiful, but it lacks the life a true hand and eye of a sculptor can bring to the art form. Your dolls are a great
testament to that fact. They have the character and innate humanity that a computer just can’t duplicate. Thank you for bringing up this topic. It’s a conversation that needs to be addressed in this day and age. Computers are great, but they are created and programmed by humans. Without us there would be no AI or VR.
Roy in Texas, USA
- http://www.popovy-dolls.com Lena & Katya Popovy
  
  thank you, Roy
Fozz

As a collector of dolls & I still dream of having one of yours, I agree with what you say because dolls are in the physical ‘real’ world. They can be handled, touched, experienced in a 3+ dimensional world & interacted with so we give them spirit & they become spiritual icons. So “spirituality in contact” yes, I agree so perfectly so. As one of my favourite artists is Ray Caesar though, described in the gallery marketing blurb as the “grandfather of digital painting”, I feel I ought to defend computerised art to some degree. Where as dolls inhabit the physical realm as well as the capability to inhabit mind, emotion & spirit through us. Visual art lacks the transforming physical aspect. We can reach out and touch the picture but we can’t go into the picture physically. Any picture can only take us on a virtual journey & I believe any art is truly the initiator of a virtual journey. All art to me is a type of dream journey born from the artists imagination, it creates it’s own liminal space. A threshold of something unreal that can be brought into reality by us through the art form giving it existence whether created purely by hand or computerised methods. The beauty of computerised visual art for me is the higher degree of realism it gives to this imaginal moment becoming almost photographic as though one is there & can step over the threshold into this dream world without effort. Your dolls also have this exceptional realism mixed with an other worldly, ethereal quality bring to life something that cannot be defined. I agree the dimples, lines & physical texture of each of your dolls is unique they become individuals themselves through them & that is the excitement of stepping into the physical. Society tries to define beauty and we all have psychological imprints of what it is to us & yet I believe beauty is really defined by ‘imperfection’, those one off dimples & lines, the uniqueness of the individual that makes each & everyone stand out & sparkle on their own but that is wholly another subject of what really makes beauty. Back on subject the weakness of computerised art compared to purely hand crafted is the same as Joni Mitchell said about singing the same songs ‘…no one asked Vincent van Gogh to paint a Starry Night again…’. Computerised art can be reproduced in copies exactly the same over & over again as you rightly infer. Do I believe the limited edition numbering or one off status I’m given on buying computerised art…hmmm!?…it is a matter of trust. One day I hope I will experience the spirit & essence of one of your dolls in my own hands for myself & perhaps my opinions & views will change forever.
- http://www.popovy-dolls.com Lena & Katya Popovy
  
  Good points, Fozz. Thank you for your support and for all kind words about out dolls
karimuffin

Hey, I know this is your opinion, but I have to say my piece. I’m sure there’s a bit of a language barrier, and meanings can be twisted, but you do realize digital art is just as valid as traditional art?

I come from a fine arts background, I learned everything traditionally. I had to teach myself digital art, and how to make digital art look “real” because I am violently allergic to oil paint. Digital art, while contained in a nice “neat” package, requires the same knowledge and skills as traditional art. The tool is simply different. It takes time and patience to build something from nothing, and digital art is a journey that can be just as frustrating and wonderful as traditional art.

In my opinion 3D modeling is some of the most difficult digital art. While it seems easy to an on-looker, it is far from it. I’ve spent years painting digitally and I still can’t wrap my head around the process that is 3D modeling. It’s a whole different skill set! It’s a completely different tool that requires a different learning curve.

If something seems lifeless, it could just be that the artist needs more practice. There’s plenty of whimsy and life behind the work of many digital artists.

I’m sure you didn’t mean to insult artists, but I feel pretty invalidated despite my years of work.

Your work is amazing. But just because you used traditional tools and sculpting isn’t what makes it amazing. You make it amazing. The artist behind the work makes it amazing.

I hope you reconsider the validity of digital art. Maybe try it for yourself. It may not be for you, or it could be another fun outlet for your work.
- http://www.popovy-dolls.com Lena & Katya Popovy
  
  thank you for your opinion. Every form of art is precious and beautiful. we didn’t meant to assault anyone. just said why we work like this and how we feel. It doesn’t mean that we underestimate other artists work, there are lot of beautiful digital art examples, and some of it can not be madein real life.
  - karimuffin
    
    Thank you for clarifying. <3
    
    Digital artists get a lot of dismissive/negative comments for their work over in the United States. So, I'm sorry if I came off as overly sensitive.
    - http://www.popovy-dolls.com Lena & Katya Popovy
      
      Don’t worry, many poeple misunderstood our message 🙂
Dawn Bigelow aka dawnssong4u

I too have a hard time with creating anything I cannot actually put my fingers in / up against. It goes back way before there was digital art lol it goes back way before there was an internet! I never liked airbrushing because I couldn’t feel my brush and it’s weight with paint whether it was watercolor, acrylic or oil paint. I needed to feel it in my hand and it’s bristles against the canvas or even a piece of plain old paper. I have to totally recondition myself and use all my patience, self-control and push myself to make my art digitally. I have to change my mindset I guess would be the best way I can explain it.
I love and cherish all art in all mediums/mixed media! I wish digital art came as naturally to me as hand painting and or my music playing! I love to write and play but I am horrible with Pro Tools and or any other digital music creative software. Again, I have to change my head space and work much harder.
I can totally understand and relate!
And I am blown away by the artist that can do either or and or both!! Let the world be filled with creativity!! Many blessings to you and yours!! All my best, dawn
- http://www.popovy-dolls.com Lena & Katya Popovy
  
  Thank you, Dawn