Watch: Exclusive Unveiling Footage
By Kelsey Zalimeni
The unveiling of Carole Feuerman's 'Double Diver' on the NetApp grounds in Sunnyvale, CA was a major success. Carole and her team were thrilled to be part of this special occasion between community and corporation. This post offers exclusive footage of the NetApp ceremony, so that all who follow Carole's activity can witness the excitement of the big day. Enjoy!
The Spirit of Sport
by Kelsey Zalimeni
With the World Cup kicking off this week, spirits and anticipation run high all over the globe. In light of all the excitement, what better work to consider than Carole Feuerman's 'Lauren Perdue,' a full-body resin cast of the young Olympic athlete. Now, of course swimming and soccer aren't nearly the same activity. However, the key traits of a top competitor- passion, discipline, and drive- are common amongst champions of any sport. As a portrait, 'Lauren Perdue' honors the incredible career of an Olympic athlete. Expanded to a larger metaphor, this piece reflects the ability of athletic events like the Olympics and World Cup to unite nations across the globe in the spirit of sport.
'Lauren Perdue', 2013- oil on resin
Although the figure is shown at rest, this does not imply any sort of complacency or defeat. Her countenance and symmetrical pose speak to balance and focus, as viewers catch the determined competitor in a moment of silent preparation. The display choice puts the piece fully into context, surrounding Lauren by her natural habitat, her sanctuary, her racing lane. All who encounter this sculpture are reminded of the purity of sport, invited to be lost in admiration of our human capabilities.
Watch this short feature on Carole's process with 'Lauren Perdue'-
Visit Lauren Perdue's Team USA page HERE.
General's Twin
by Kelsey Zalimeni
'General's Twin' protrudes from its hanging place with commanding presence and a sense of dignity exuding from the figure. The piece only features the top portion of the swimmer, succeeding to convey a powerful stance despite the body's absent lower half. This sculpture possesses a unique balance of grace and potency, achieved by a combination of delicate details and a carefully carved physique.
'General's Twin', 2009-2011
Oil on Resin, 24 x 15 x 8 inches, The Smithsonian Institute National Portrait Gallery
The soft, rosy lips of the swimmer work nicely with a similarly colored swimming top to emit rays of youthful, feminine beauty. Her broad, athletic shoulders and toned abdomen communicate a formidable side to this woman. With eyes closed and head held high, she basks in the glory of her own composition, yet another great testament to the accomplishments of her maker and the values she stands for. This piece is a particularly important work by Carole, as it is displayed at the Smithsonian Institute National Portrait Gallery. Its acquisition by such a renown institution is not only a great accomplishment for Carole in her career, but an honor as a citizen of this country to contribute artwork to a national collection.
In The Mix
by Kelsey Zalimeni
The majority of swimmers that Carole Feuerman sculpts are female. This choice widely reads as the artist's effort to represent the female form in a way that glorifies the figure without objectifying it. By investing the female form with a dignified, heroic essence, Feuerman has removed the Classical notions of feminine depiction, with woman as 'object of desire.' Knowing this, what do we make of the select male figures within Carole's oeuvre? Instead of viewing them as arbitrary or opposite to her ethos, Carole's male swimmers can be seen as a necessary presence, 'in the mix.'
'Matteo', 2008-2011- Oil on Resin, 19 x 20 x 10 inches, Collection of the artist
'In the mix' simply implies the egalitarian mindset of Carole as an artist; a conscious effort to include the male figure amongst her many female sculptures. She takes the same care and effort to the rendering of her male subjects, achieving looks of meditation and gentleness without them appearing effeminate.
'Diver', 2014 - Bronze, 77 x 25 x 11 inches, Collection of the artist
Carole shows that her cornerstone values of peace, balance and strength are shared traits amongst both genders. Rendering both male and female subjects keeps Carole's message relevant and coherent, free of the pigeonhole label of feminist art.
'Butterfly', 2008-2011, Oil on Resin, 21 x 22.5 x 21"- Oil on Resin, 21 x 22.5 x 21 inches, Private Collection
Carole's Picks: Becky Franco
by Kelsey Zalimeni
At first glance, Becky Franco's works might be mistaken for photographs of beautiful interiors and decorative architecture. However, Franco's tantalizing scenes are in fact oil paintings rendered in photoreal quality. Carole has recently discovered the intriguing works of this artist, thus naming Franco as the her Pick for this month of June.
'Clarity', 2009- Oil on canvas
A Havana, Cuba native, Franco completed a BFA with Honors in the United States from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn. Her main influence throughout artistic training was the Photo Realist movement of the 1970’s. In her budding career after graduation, she became the first female billboard artist to join the Sign & Pictorial Display Union. She painted billboards for fifteen years, later shifting her focus, to strictly private painting commissions. To continue the expansion of her artistic prowess, Franco set out to obtain an MFA from Queens College, New York in 2008. She is currently represented by soho20gallery in Chelsea, New York.
Becky Franco amongst her iconic painting subjects
Milestone Moment
by Kelsey Zalimeni
Today in Sunnyvale, California a very special event will take place, marking an important moment for both the city and artist Carole Feuerman. Tech powerhouse NetApp is unveiling Carole's monumental 'Double Diver,' a bronze beacon of balance, achievement, and trust dedicated to the city.
L- 'Double Diver', 2014- bronze with patina finish; R- Carole Feuerman perfecting the 'Double Diver'
For Sunnyvale, this occasion highlights a flourishing relationship between the community and the thriving NetApp corporation. For Carole, the honor of bestowing such a symbolic and prominent sculpture upon the city is both exhilarating and humbling. The ceremony, set to commence at 2pm Pacific time, is sure to be a glorious milestone for all parties involved. All in the area are encouraged to attend.
Monumental Quan, 2012
by Kelsey Zalimeni
An exploration of Carole Feuerman's oeuvre reveals topical threads throughout. While some pieces focus upon embodying one ideal at a time, others like Carole's 'Quan' series reflect multiple tenets simultaneously. The featured sculpture here, 'Monumental Quan,' speaks through its scale, composition, and execution, to the primary values of its creator- grace, focus, and balance.
Measuring 5 feet in height and roughly the same in width, 'Monumental Quan' manages to convey a delicate grace despite its voluminous presence. The positioning of the figure assists with this aspect, displaying a swimmer poised permanently in a difficult physical maneuver.
'Monumental Quan', 2012- Oil & resin, stainless steel sculpture
Power and control are implied well through the figure alone, but speak even louder in pairing with the chrome-finish orb upon which she balances. The mirrored surface threatens distraction, as viewers catch glimpses of their likeness in the midst of their experience with the piece. However, the reflective ball serves a more clever purpose, for 'Monumental Quan' is in fact above the entire space she occupies- stationed perfectly on top of a mini-world comprised by her surrounding environment. She is, in a sense, among and above the audience at the same time.
Origins: The Golden Mean
by Kelsey Zalimeni
In light of the upcoming NetApp unveiling event, this post highlights the piece which preceded and inspired 'Double Diver.' 'The Golden Mean,' a single bronze diver with goldleaf detail, is in fact the sculpture that started it all- balanced and stalwart, it stood as a beacon of human ambition and artistic accomplishment.
'The Golden Mean', 2012
Bronze with Gold Leaf, 150 x 54 x 38 inches, Purchased by the City of Peekskill, NY
The attention to detail and anatomical correctness of this piece is astounding. The polished bronze finish calls attention to every dip and curve of the figure's composition. A testament to Carole's skill and vision, 'The Golden Mean' provides not only a pleasing view, but a starting point from which to trace her progression toward new innovations in 'Double Diver.'