Tags
introspective, Lady Hare, mono, photography, Rising, Salisbury Cathedral, sculpture, Sophie Ryder
Another monumental sculpture from Sophie Ryder at Salisbury Cathedral; a 20’ tall crouching Lady Hare entitled ‘Rising’.
Despite its size, there was something in the transparent wire construction, location and pose that gave the sculpture an air of fragility and vulnerability – and I experienced the slightly disconcerting sensation of feeling protective towards it. I wanted to fend off the clambering kids and casual kickers; to tell the groups of cheesy snappers and selfie grabbers to show a little respect, to slow down, to see, to think, to feel ….
I thought mono would work best to capture these feelings but I’m not sure – I like the colours of the … err … colour version 🙂 Any thoughts …. ?
Closer consideration of this introspective sculpture reveals a smaller, kneeling hare hiding within.
(All images are copyright to Noeline Smith)
Beautifully captured. I much prefer the mono version and, after reading your description, I’m going to look at our local Andy Scott’s sculptures in a different way now!
Thank you – where people have made the choice, mostly the mono comes out on top. I should have trusted my instinct!
I’ve had look at some photographs of Andy Scott’s work; wow! They all seem to be very strong, dynamic – fabulous! Shame he doesn’t seem to feature down south 😦
You’ll just have to come up for a visit!
One of these days I’ll have to … can you believe I’ve only been to Scotland once – and that was only for a couple of days or so!
Let me know if come up and we could arrange an Andy Scott Sculpture meet!
Love these sculptures. Also I don’t know what to prefer; mono or f/c. Like the subtlety of the close up of the hare in the hare!
It’s an interesting exhibition – and how lucky to have it on my doorstep?! I find their construction fascinating (obviously my inner geek!)
It was quite surprising how many people didn’t see the hidden hare …. what a shame.
Your doorstep? Didn’t know that you live in the house where Edward Heath (previous prime minister) used to live… (LOL). Nice house BTW.
Hmmm – OK, not quite my doorstep! 🙂
I can’t pretend I’m overly keen on Sophie Ryder’s ‘creatures’ but it is unfair to make unfavourable judgement without seeing and experiencing her work ‘in the flesh and in its appropriate context. Too often we evaluate art works solely on the basis of miniaturised photographs or images on a screen. I fully understand your response and feelings – indeed, your comments illustrate my point well.
To be honest I wasn’t entirely sure myself but seeing the sculptures in the flesh (or is that ‘metal’?!) and spending some time with them I’ve seen them in a new light.
It seems that her work is pretty much all about exploring relationships and I found that the hare/minotaur figures took me away from seeing an interaction between two, or more, people to the underlying emotion driving the piece.
I don’t know that I’ve explained that particularly well – but you’ll know what I’m trying to say. I’ve found my own reaction interesting and, in relation to this particular piece, quite surprising!
Wow….how amazing is that sculpture
It’s fabulous – and actually seeing it in context is even better! 🙂
Hi Noeline, I much prefer the mono version. The subject is more dominant and grounded than in the colour version where the colour/tone of the Hare is nearer to the background colour/tone. The Mono version has more impact.
Best wishes
Michael.
Thank you Michael. My initial thought was that mono was the way to go but, seeing the colours and (as you say) how the colour/tones of the Hare and background are so similar, I wondered if the image was softer and perhaps reflected the ‘vulnerability’ of the piece better …. ?
Having said that, the mono version is more striking but still, I think, has a ‘softness’ to it …
Beautiful, Noeline! I think the black-and-white captures the somber mood that goes with the pose. I like the way you composed the close up shot.
Thank you – you’ve expressed an emotion that I hadn’t managed to pull out from a feeling and put into words yet; somber. Spot on – and, as you say, the mono version captures that. Thanks! 🙂
You are welcome, Noeline!
Hello Noeline,
I really like the close up… what a skill to make such lovely sculptures out of wire. And well done showing the hare inside …quite innovative. I’ll have to get you to suggest a better way for me to photograph ice crystals forming in planes below a water surface. At night..????
Best wishes
Julian
They really are clever – you’d think they’d be all ‘wiry’ but somehow they’re beautifully ‘smooth’. Also, the scale is impressive; how do you work on something that big without losing the proportions … ?
As for the hidden hare, my initial approach was a straightforward side view which showed the form of the kneeling figure far better, however, the cluttered background showed through as well and was far too distracting. This angle kept the image simple – but I also quite liked the parallels with wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve 🙂
The ice crystals sound like quite a challenge! If it’s possible, how about using a flash/light from the side …. just a thought working on the principle that the light will be affected by the different densities …. ? I’ll be interested to see how you do it!
Fascinating Noeline, thanks so much, cluttered /inappropriate backgrounds can be really awkward can’t they, so well done with the hare…seen some amazing sculptures, and land art on a snowdrop hunt today – may or may not reveal them later. The owner may request privacy… but if you’re ever in West Wales you should visit the place – it has such emotional power (email us for details) – I’m sure you’d love it, and you’d take some great pics! As for the crystals, flash head on was hopeless – side flash might have worked….but I don’t have one! So it was down to holding a torch …just a little bit off head on, and angled to pick up the variable angle of the ice crystal sheets…
BW
Julian
Sadly we don’t often head over that way but I’ll certainly bear it in mind – thank you.
Off camera flash is something I’ve just started playing with; it’s probably quite a useful tool if you learn how to use it properly – and I’m not there yet! I look forward to seeing how you got on with your torch 🙂
Your opening shot is great…make me want to take some time to think, ponder and slow down. The other shots are might fine as well, but this opening one makes me want to stop and think 🙂
I’m pleased it had that effect on you – it’s exactly what the sculpture did to me! 🙂
I love this sculpture Noeline and I can fully understand why you would feel protective of her. There is a very striking air of vulnerability about it and I’m with Randall, the first image really works for me.
She really is lovely – well worth seeing. The exhibition is on until July if you’re up this way …. let me know if you’re in this neck of the woods ….
I still find myself swinging between colour and mono; had the colours been more vibrant the mono version would have won hands down, but the ‘soft’ colours seem to work well.
I love this black & white photo! 🙂
Thank you – it’s great to have such a lovely subject 🙂
I think it’s fun to see how you approached the sculpture. And I think your processing changes a photo taken under not the best of conditions into something quite spectacular. For me this monochromatic version is much more about the mood than the actual sculpture.
Thank you Otto. Looking at this again with fresh eyes I’ve finally decided that I prefer the mono version – as you say, it captures more of the emotion and mood which is what I was really after in the first place.
I prefer the monochrome edit as I think that it conveys the feeling much better.
I too plumped for the mono version after looking at it again with fresh eyes – as you say, it has feeling.
Thanks for dropping by 🙂
beautiful photos, love the two colours + the close up, thank you!!!!
rosajhberlandartconsultant.com
Sorry for the delay – I’ve been struggling to keep up with things!
Thank you for your comment – it’s a beautiful sculpture and I’m pleased you liked my efforts at trying to show it off!
keep up the great work