http://www.salient.org.nz/

Personal Profile: Augustus Firestone and Finalism

It is not often that you come across the beginnings of an art movement right under your nose.
One cold early Friday evening, as I was killing time before that Bob Dylan concert, I popped along to Thistle Hall of all places, where there was a group exhibition by Vincents Art Workshop showcasing some of their latest works. On the far wall there were some paintings that stood out; this was because they were in 3D.
The 3D effect was created using Finalism which represents a modern resurgence of painted sculpture that started at Vincents Art Workshop and its growing. Augustus Firestone’s intriguing works were created on boards using papier-mâché and plaster, which was later painted on top of. The effect created is a meeting between traditional painted sculpture and painting on a 2D surface. Later I sat down with Firestone so he could give me the run down on Finalism.
Firstly, what is Finalism and when did it start? According to Firestone, “Finalism started in late 2005 and is based on traditional painted sculpture, which is an idea that was used back in ancient Greece and Rome and cultures before that. It was an instinctive natural part of their culture, which was to paint sculpture. It was only during the renaissance that by the time they’d picked up sculpture again, that all the paint had gone off all the ancient pieces of work from Greece and Rome and so they just started not putting paint on their sculptures. That’s why you never see a Michelangelo or Leonardo sculpture with painting.”
What?! I thought to myself, painted classical sculptures? But weren’t they all white marble and stone? But as the Finalism website, www. sculpturepainted.com, points out: “In ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times sculptures and relief were painted. Today most of this paint has weathered away and with it the idea of painting on sculpture or relief has become lost.” This seems incredible - most of those Greek and Roman statues we see in museums and in the movies were actually supposed to have been painted!
Indeed, the producers of the excellent miniseries Rome may have laboured to provide historical realism, but I don’t remember seeing painted statues while watching it last year. To verify all this, I looked around to see what else was coming to light about the use of paint in the ancient world. I managed to discover that it is truly a revolution, as Harvard University of all places has an exhibition from September 22 through to January 20 next year, titled Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity.
As their blurb states: “Imagine a stroll through ancient Athens among colorful statues and brightly decorated temples—in contrast with the white marble of the ruins that survive today. This exhibition presents full-size copies of Greek and Roman sculpture whose painted decoration, faded over the millennia, has been painstakingly reconstructed.”
At the forefront of this art revolution is the Finalism movement, started right here in Wellington. I asked Firestone what the main catalyst was for modern painted sculpture.
“Well it basically started pretty much here at Vincents Art Workshop. I had dabbled in it like many other artists throughout art history with painted sculpture, but never realised that no main group had ever done painted sculpture as a main focus. So I had a chat to Aaron Frater who works here, and asked him if he had seen much sculptures with paint on it, and he said no. So we sort of said, well, let’s do it together, and so I started the website and now we have 20 members from around the world who are part of it now.”
These members are from places as far apart as America, Egypt, England, Australia and Lebanon. It is an intimate community of painters, sharing a common passion for sculpting and painting. This is evidenced by the membership of Gamal Abd El Nasser of Egypt, who, after being found on the Internet, was so passionate about painted sculpture that he now runs a school in Alexandria that focuses on painted sculpture. Community is important for the Finalists, as Firestone explained, “Gamal introduced us to a woman called Maha in Lebanon and she also does painted sculptural relief. Maha was in Lebanon when Israel was bombing it last year, she disappeared and we completely freaked out thinking that this was our first member who had been killed, but luckily Gamal sent her some money and got her out of the country.”
Looking at modern painted sculpture, it seems basic so far; it is not as detailed or intricate like a lot of other art forms. But Firestone was at pains to point out that “all art movements started out in an infant style stage; early impressionism wasn’t what was later on down the track when it first started. Picasso did Cubism, but created it in a far more highly developed way later on. What is going to happen with our group is exactly the same thing, we’re at that early stage now and people know that. If you look at art history enough you know that this is something that is going to be very big.”
This is a bold statement - the belief of a group of people who think they can create an art movement in this day and age. What does the arts intelligentsia make of this? Arrogant upstarts or artistic revolutionaries?
Firestone was all too aware of what the establishment might think. As this part-time househusband bounced his 17-month-old son, he explained that, “at first it was a little hostile, it was sort of like scoff ‘you can’t start an art movement’, but I sort of said back, well, yes I can, and many artists previous to me have produced art movements…
I do feel like I am shaking the foundations of the intelligentsia art elite because they’d never noticed it before. I’d noticed it because I’d done my fair share of study as well, I’ve read as many books as they have, I’ve been to the best art schools. Basically I saw that there was something missing and that was a focused group of artists who focus on painted sculpture…”
You may think that this is just an isolated group of people who will get nowhere with their art as it has all been done before. You also may think that this is just a cynical form of art hype sparked by creativity and ideas that just aren’t worthy of becoming gigantic. But Firestone pointed out that “most art movements were small little enclave of artists who had a revolutionary idea, such as Cubists, Dadaists, impressionists.”
If this modern art revolution actually does have the potential to grow into something a lot bigger than it is now, then how is it going to achieve this? Just like every other art movement before it, it has to find some sort of impetus. In the past this has come from things as diverse as conquerors, religion, trade and the explosion of philosophy. This was best evidenced by the renaissance, and of course, by wealthy patrons and modern philosophies that drove modernist groups such as the Cubists, the Dadaists and Surrealists.
If Finalism is to grow, it would be best for it to use another revolutionary form of information - the Internet.
“Well the Internet is proving to be incredibly successful, far more successful than I envisaged it to be. We’re getting interest from overseas galleries, unfortunately not as many galleries over here. I think there’s a Tall Poppy syndrome that is here in New Zealand.
“But what has happened is that the web has created the whole world to be in one place and be able to develop their art and push this new media to levels that may not have been truly explored yet. This is the fascinating thing, this is the problem with the Tall Poppies, the people are so stuck in the old way of thinking that the web and the new media have revolutionised things so much for artists, and in Finalism being a ground breaking group on the Internet, it is going to be fascinating to then see what happens in 10 years’ time. A good example would be Second Life: Second Life has multitudes of galleries on there, and as a second person you can actually walk through galleries, it’s really awesome. I think we are at the tip of the iceberg… People are now watching the Internet more than they’re watching TV now… I hope that Finalism will be part of that Internet revolution, we haven’t even entered some places. We are an international art movement but we aren’t even in China yet. We are not even in Africa yet.”
My meeting with Augustus Firestone, despite being brief, was definitely enlightening. I asked him if he had any final words about Finalism for me to take away and ponder. Putting his infant son back into his pushchair, he said, “Watch this space. We are at the beginning of something big and if you do have a Tall Poppies attitude, get rid of it, [or otherwise] we’re going to get rid of it for you.”
For more information about Harvard University’s Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity check out:
http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/exhibitions/sackler/godsInColor.html
And the Finalism website: www.sculpturepainted.com

Best regards,
Alice Bradshaw
http://www.alicebradshaw.co.uk/
http://www.contentsmayvary.org/

VISUAL ART- Our monthly visual art exhibitions will include solo and group shows of paintings, sculpture, photography, drawings, prints, mixed media works, installations as well as computer and functional art. Rotating works by gallery artists will be on view on a continuous basis.
FILM & VIDEO- G.A.S. will host independent and commercial film and video screenings in our back room gallery and in our “Alfresco Theater”.
The G.A.S. STATION- (our gallery store) will offer one-of-a-kind and limited editions of artist’s small scale hand-made objects such as: artist’s books, photographs, prints, ceramics, glass, collectables, unique items, lamps, greeting cards, small table-top sculptures, folk art and more.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES- will be presented in the gallery and outdoors in our “Court Yard”, an 800 sq. ft. landscaped backyard with a 16’x20’ back wall for film and video projections. We will host gallery receptions, parties, and other functions throughout the warm weather months.
ART OPENINGS- We will have monthly exhibitions with opening receptions on the Third Saturday of each month from 5-8pm, as well as poetry readings, lectures, slide talks, panel discussions and other surprises scheduled throughout the year.
INAUGURAL EXHIBITION: Our first show is a presentation of a variety of works by gallery artists. The exhibition will be open to the public on June 1, with the opening reception on Saturday, June 16, 2007. The exhibition will run to July 14, 2007.
WORKS in the EXHIBITION includes large scale photo light boxes and color digital prints, metal sculpture, mixed media paintings and montages, Pop Art paintings, a political mixed media installation and surrealistic sculpture.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS: Michael ASBILL, Jose ACOSTA,
Joanne KLEIN, Aaron MILLER, Franc PALAIA, Michael SIBILIA, Patrick WING
GALLERY HOURS: Fri-Sun. from 12-6pm and by appointment
For information: Aaron MILLER- AaMILLER@Vassar.edu 917-514-2708
Franc PALAIA- FPalaia@earthlink.net 845- 486-1378
Franc’s cell phone ---- 845-505-3123
GAS telephone: 845-486-4592 www.galleryandstudio.org
                 G.A.S. is located 5 blocks east of the Poughkeepsie Train Station and                                  5 blocks east of the Mid-Hudson bridge, one block west of the Mid-             Hudson Civic Center and across the street from the Cunneen-Hackett                                                                                                     Art Center.

Jose Acosta

Welocme Harry Spitz who does wood relief painted sculpture from the USof A. He will be in a group show openning May 10 at the Meatspace Gallery in Long Island City NY.
http://meatspacegallery.com/

AFirestone

Aaron Frater is having an exhibition called "Polymorphology" Installation of changed plastics. At Vincents Art Workshop Gallery Level 4 84 Willis Street Wellington New Zealand. April 18th to May 2nd. Opening April 18 at 5:30

AFrater

PDF

Welcome Sally Noall and Richard Graham who carves wood and paints it.

AFirestone 13/3/07

Welcome Glenda and Mollari from the USA. Glenda does clay with paint on it and Mollari does metal work with car paint on it. I would love to hear what you guys have to say on the forum.

AFirestone 12/3/07

Congratulations to Aaron Frater for his current exhibition at the Wellington Arts Centre called “A Toxic Garden”
Installation -Studio 29 - Toi Poneke
Mon 5th Sun 18 March 2007

Aaron Frater has organised the Sculpture Symposium in Wellington these last few weeks. With up to 20 artists working on the site. Which you can see in the background of Aaron's work of a leaf on a rock.
Nice work!

AFirestone 7/2/07

Gamal and Maha are doing well they just had a show and will be sending photos as well. Also Gamal will be starting a workshop in Egypt working on painted sculpture.

Maha will be returning home to Lebanon (now that the conflict is over) this Sunday and we hope all goes well with her.

AFirestone 5/2/07

Thistle Hall 18th November to the 27th of November 2007. 2nd group show of 'Finalism'

AFiretone

Press Release Jose Acosta

Exhibition:
January 6th to January 27th 2007
Reception:
January 6th from 5-8 pm
Location:
Arts Society of Kingston
97 Broadway
Kingston, NY 12401
Contact Jose Acosta at
e-mail: jacosta@pennclubny.org
www.askforarts.org
Tel: 845-338-0331

Among the most exciting artwork now being created in the Hudson Valley are the vibrant paintings and powerful constructions of Poughkeepsie resident Jose Acosta. The Arts Society of Kingston is pleased to announce a solo show of Acosta’s work in its Main Gallery at 97 Broadway, Kingston, opening Saturday, January 6th with a reception from 5 to 8 and running through January 27th.
Bright colors, swirling figures, and vibrant energy characterize Acosta’s paintings. “There is a strong influence of my native Cuba in the gaiety and bright colors of my paintings,” he says. Acosta was born in Cuba and immigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was 3 years old. He considers himself a Cuban-American and is very proud of both his Cuban heritage and his American citizenship. "Generally my paintings depict my personal history and my surroundings. I paint from my heart, expressing a little hope and happiness in all of my creations.”
Acosta’s red and black constructions and sculptures reflect more of his profession as an engineer. These creations are strong and solid and very direct, as I want the viewer to understand what I am trying to say, as well as be interested in the work visually.” His work has received critical as well as popular acclaim.
Acosta disproves the theory that one must suffer to create great art. Says Acosta, “I thank God every day for all the blessings he has bestowed on me, my family and friends. I have fun and love creating my paintings and constructions. I do paint the struggles of my fellow humans to strive for their dreams, the things that some of us take so lightly yet so many in this world do not have. I am a romantic at heart and envision a future world where we will all live in peace and plenty”.Click on images to enlarge

Congratulations again to Harry Watson and the interview that you had with Lynn Freeman. If you have windows media you can hear it now.

Harry Watson Interview with Lynn Freeman "To Catch a Butterfly" or goto Radio National

I would like to say a big congratulations to the excellent exhibition of Harry Watsons work at Tinakori Gallery called "To Catch a butterfly". Your work looks amazing and Tinakori's web site showing your work looks fantastic.
The Show is on between November 30th to December 22nd

The exhibition was a great success, over a hundred people came with art critics, media and sales of works, turning it into a major event.
Aaron and I would like to give a special thanks to Vincents Art Workshop, Andre Bryne and Robert Rapson for their hard work.
I would also like to mention Sue Blumsky and Paddy Twist for their contribution which I feel completed the show. I can’t wait for
next years show.

Augustus Firestone

Hi Guys

Well the DVD is up and running. Not quite what we had in mind but good for TV programs that might be interested in showing all of our work or even individually. http://www.sculpturepainted.com/dvd.html

Might do a update of it later. If you would like a copy of the DVD send me an e-mail with your address and I will do my best.
Don't forget to click the advertising at the end of the DVD, it helps pay the bills for this website, so please tell as many people as possible or a email them with the link. Also website bill is coming up of $112

Thistle Hall 9th of October to the 18th $200 for rent of the space $10 bond the sooner the better when we give them this money, also 10% commission. So any help with the bills would be great but I can understand if not.

As for Maha, I don't know if I told you all, the last I herd was that she got out of lebanon and is safe in Egypt with Gamal. Great to hear Maha and Gamal and we would all like to hear some words from her if possible.

Just so you know guys we are also looking for a writer/poet to join the group. Much like the writing of the Surrealists, Dada, Aaron I would like the writing to be in context of painted sculpture. The writing will have it's own page on the website and will probably be used for TV shows on us or later down the track a book on Finalism.

Any photos from your exhibitions feel free to send me a photo with information and I will put up on the News page http://www.sculpturepainted.com/news.html.

Well I'm very excited about the 1st annual group show at Thistle Hall 9th of October to the 18th where we will be all in one space (DVD will be shown at the exhibition to show Gamal, Maha and all our work together)

Exciting times.

Speak to you all soon.

Augustus Firestone

Augustus Firestone Solo exhibition at Vincents Gallery 14th to 28th of July 06

One part of Aaron Frater's exhibition at The Arts Centre in Wellington, which also went to Auckland and did really well.

Davey McGhie exhibited recently at Seed Gallery, Newmarket Auckland.

Thanks to Gamal's hard work we have a new member from Lebanon here name is Maha Al Jammas. Welcome and nice to have you here with us, Neeta will no longer be the only woman :)

Augustus Firestone 26/5/06

Hi Guys some interesting information for you have a look at Saatchi Gallery where you can put up your art work up for free. So if you do this send me your link to your gallery and I will put it up here in the artists section. Much like I have.

Augustus Firestone 26/5/06

We have decided that the exhibition at Thistle Hall on the 9th to the 18th of October 2006 will become an annual event.

Augustus Firestone 21/5/06

Painted Sculpture horizontal to vertical and verticalto horizontal.

A new direction for painted sculpture, for artists who might be interested in the development of the concept. Works created horizontally, that is to say sculptor or low relief pieces made on the ground, painted by brush or paint poured from a height. Pieces whose horizontal genesis is very obvious placed on a wall, in the vertical. Painted sculptures/relief made more on an easel, in the traditional Painterly 2D & displayed on the horizontal.

This shifts perception of displaying the works against there obvious genesis. A juxtaposition of orientations, as with a painting, or a traditional sculpture most works show some mark of how they were made. We are making works in many ways & are branching into methods of display that question the nature of what we make.

Aaron Frater 21/5/06

A friend of mine called Sami Ramir is going to do a DVD of our work so could you please send me updated photos of your works and a blurb about why you create the current works that you do. You can also explain in your perspective on why you are apart of Finalism group/artmovement.

Augustus Firestone 2/4/06

Thistle Hall confirmed for the 9th to the 18th of October

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Welcome to sculpture painted or if you like painted sculpture. Just so you know for the members here on this forum this cost wee bit to set up.

About $150 all up, so if any one wants to put up it will be greatly appreciated.

Yours truly

Augustus Firestone