Analysis Of Lorenzo Ghibertis Genesis From TheGates Of...

In Lorenzo Ghiberti’s â€Å"Genesis from the ‘Gates of Paradise’† (c.1435)(fig.1), Giacomo Balla’s â€Å"Swifts: Paths of Movement and Dynamic Sequences† (c.1913) (fig.2) and Alexander Calder’s â€Å"Untitled† (c.1972)(fig.3) there is a theme of movement or more specifically flight. Each artwork portrays flight, however each has their own interpretation, use of medium, and innovation of their time period. Flight is a very broad term that can be defined in various ways. In the piece Swifts: Paths of Movement and Dynamic Sequences, Balla alludes to flight in the title as the â€Å"paths of movement in the title probably refer to the flight paths of swifts, while the beating of their wings are referred to as dynamic sequences†(Guggenheim). The dynamic†¦show more content†¦Balla, Ghiberti, and Calder all use different materials that make their piece unique to the category of flight and add to their effect of motion. Balla’s piece is a oil painting that is unique because the lines are layered making them seen woven into each other. Balla really used oil painting to its potential by using its ability to blend into softer tones to create the various layers of woven lines which create the dynamic movement. Ghiberti uses bronze, which is the hardest of the three materials. His bronze piece is well known around the world and has been critically acclaimed by Michelangelo. Ghiberti is able to capture flight with his minute details such as the lines that signify the air moving behind the angels making it realistic and adding to the importance of flight. In the installation Untitled, Calder positions triangular pieces that are red which contrast to the wedge-like black pieces in a natural curve giving the piece realism and balancing the positive and negative space. Because Calder used an aluminum material the mobile is light enough for air currents to move the sculpture to where it almost touches opposing walls. The various materials are a part of the artist’s interpretation and are further innovations of the theme flight. They elevate the work, and add to the dimension that is trying to be recreated. Not only do the pieces of Ghiberti, Balla, and Calder showcase flight, but they are also