Re: pointing machines - Barry X Ball portrait sculptures

["Barry X Ball" <bxball@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

George, et al -

Sorry for the delayed response.

CNC machines are just advanced versions of hand and power tools, except they
work faster and more accurately.  They also can work for days straight with
no bathroom, sleep, or meal breaks.  They never get tired, and as a result,
their accuracy and speed never flag as the hours wear on.  They do what you
tell them to do.  Because they cut with high-speed, water-cooled cutters,
though, they can work "difficult" stones with ease.  And as for pointing
machines - CNC mills, bluntly, render them all but obsolete.  Think of CNC
stone mills as pointing machines that cut as well as measure.  And they
measure with much greater accuracy.  They are relatively expensive to buy
and use.  I am undeservedly fortunate to be able to use them to make my
work.  Again, the Digital Stone Project (a non-profit:
http://www.digitalstoneproject.org/) has the finest collection of them
anywhere, and an increasing group of sculptors is discovering the place and
putting those machines to use to make new stone sculptures.  I hope by
promoting this organization, I am not violating the terms of the stone list.
Neither I nor the other sculptors that founded the place have a financial
interest in the DSP - we just want it to survive so that it can provide
services to sculptors that are, literally, unavailable elsewhere.

I don't know much about 'spontaneity'.  I am focused on results.  "Process"
is a means to that end, and usually my methods are tedious and not at all
fun.  I purposely avoid developing a romantic relationship with the process
of creating my stone works, as I believe this is an impediment to objective
analysis.  From reading list postings for the last year, my approach seems
to diverge from that of the other posters.  There are precious few major
contemporary artists working in stone, but those that are are doing some
extraordinary things.  I would suggest that list members check out the stone
works of the following sculptors:  Anish Kapoor,  Jeff Koons, Marc Quinn,
James Turrell, Ulrich Ruckreim, Richard Long, etc.  In particular, the
massive marble obelisk that Jim Turrell is erecting (and CNC-carving with a
custom-built mill on-site) in the center of his incredible Rodin Crater
project is a work of great ambition.  When completed, it will be the largest
sculpture ever created from a single block.  In general, these artists
(with, I hope, a minor contribution from myself) are creating the future.

Perhaps I am posting my thoughts in the wrong forum.  There seems to be a
predominance of "direct carving" aficionados on this list.  When Brancusi
pioneered this approach, it was revolutionary.  When Noguchi (his assistant)
carried it forward, it was somewhat less so.  Now, a couple generations
later, it seems time to move on.  (Abacus, adding machine, calculator,
computer.abacus?)  Perhaps what I am delineating is what distinguishes craft
 from art.  The greatest art has always been created through a restless
search for the new .as well as the true.  Again the works of the "masters"
that many who contribute to this list admire were shockingly innovative at
the time of their creation.  They were often decried as "ugly".  Most of
what is being created in the contemporary art cosmos today will ultimately
be forgotten.  But the works of a few, those that are willing to risk all,
will survive as mirrors of the best of our time.

Sincerely - Barry X Ball