Touching sculpture

["Bob Hackett" <kinfolk@zzzzzzz>]

As any good sculptor or tradesman will tell you your hands will tell you far
more than your eyes.
I also turn wood vessels and one of the ways I can tell if I've produced a
good form is if a prospective customer can't put the piece down and keeps
running thier hands over it as we talk(I encourage folks to handle my
work).Most aren't even aware they're doing it.
I read where Bert Marsh once had a blind person buy his work.He was so moved
that he wanted to give the piece to the person who wouldn't hear of paying
anything less than the asking price for such fine work.
Talk about a compliment!
As to being able to interact with sculpture more,try sculpture parks.Unlike
museums where everything is kept behind velvet ropes the parks allow you to
taste the sculptures if your're so inclined.It's not uncommon for small
children(and even grown up children) to climb on the works in most that I've
visited.
Leave those stuffy old museums to the 2D crowd,put your hiking boots on and
go visit a sculpture park.I hear some are even popping up in quarries!Now
you can get your inspiration and raw material in the same place,how
convenient!.

Bob
PS-The one near SUNY is a good start for NY sculptors and fans.I think it's
called Storm King or something similar.

PPS-If you still can't give up the museums try contacting the admin section
and requesting a closer look at your favorites.I've had great luck getting
behind the ropes to measure,fondle,etc the exhibits and even been able to
see some things kept in storage in an effort to help me with my work.
Remember,the guys in suits are local boys too!