Constantin Brancusi

Symbolysm of allusion or reality in disguise?

 

Few are aware of the fact that Constantin Brancusi (1876 - 1957) was of very modest origin. His childhood passion was to carve wood tools, and he manifested a particular interest in mythology, (especially Romanian mythology) folk tales, and traditional art. An example of these influences is the “Endless Column” which is an ancient motif carved on the tombs of unmarried man for more than 1000 years).

Brancusi sculpture is often categorized as abstract by art experts and critics. But Brancusi during his life corrected them abruptly by saying: "There are idiots who define my work as abstract; yet what they call abstract is what is most realistic. What is real is not the appearance, but the idea, the essence of things."

Famous for his style in which the perfect geometrical forms and natural shapes and characteristics are alternated and intertwined to create the dynamism of his sculptures he neither accepted the idea of dualism in his creation nor the cheap desire to ignite controversy and rejection.

“Princes X” (1915) was removed from the Salon de Indépendants in 1920 on grounds of obscenity. Brancusi's friends and colleagues signed a manifesto, published in Le Journal du Peuple (February 25, 1920) to protest the authorities' decision. It was reportedly Picasso (although some accounts cite Matisse) who first had declared the work a phallus. Brancusi was infuriated by the comparison and he insisted the sculpture was a portrayal of a feminine ideal and denied alternate readings that characterized it as a sign of his desire for its model or a formulation of sexual duality.

Another notorious scandal was the U.S. Customs office's refusal in 1926 to classify Bird in Space as a work of art.

“U.S. customs agreed to rethink their classification of the items, but until then released the sculptures on bond under "Kitchen Utensils and Hospital Supplies." However, customs appraiser F. J. H. Kracke eventually confirmed the initial classification of items and said that they were subject to duty. Kracke told the New York Evening Post that "several men, high in the art world were asked to express their opinions for the Government.... One of them told us, 'If that's art, hereafter I'm a bricklayer.' Another said, 'Dots and dashes are as artistic as Brâncuşi's work.' In general, it was their opinion that Brâncuşi left too much to the imagination."

He also became interested in African art (see “Portrait de Madame L.R.” who was sold at Christies for $37 million, representing one of the highest prices sold at the time for an art piece) and Mediterranean art as well.

His circle of friends included artists and intellectuals in Paris such as Ezra Pound, Henri Pierre Roché, Guillaume Apollinaire, Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, Henri Rousseau, Fernand Léger is eloquent in the sense of a common language in art and life interpretation.

"Don’t look for mysteries; I bring you pure joy."

It might not be the best invitation to comment on some of his famous masterpieces but it is one way mortals can share artistic emotions and experience.

                                                                            

           
                                                                                           “Mademoiselle Pogany”