Happening upon distinctive sculptures by David Bakalar in Boston got me to review my many photos of his art near me along Garden Street in Cambridge on the lawns of Longy School of Music. And that led me on to further photographing and then fact-finding from David Bakalar’s website. My next step is this basic post. Then I can go back to Bakalar’s art in Boston and on to other sites of his work in Cambridge.

“Life Force II,” “Helical Man,” “Disc,” “King and Queen”

David Bakalar’s Four Sculptures at Longy School of Music of Bard College, 27 Garden St. Cambridge, MA (L-R) LIFE FORCE II, 6′ granite; HELICAL MAN, 5′ aluminum; DISC, 5′ stainless steel; KING and QUEEN, 5′ granite

David Bakalar’s art at Longy exemplifies the discoveries that come with walking around each work. My format for photos in this post should reflect that, including seven views of each artwork. Get set for rich rewards from slowly or suddenly connecting different views as parts of a complex whole.

One View of Each Sculpture at Longy:

Four Sculptures, Each Viewed from Two of Many Sides:

“With the Helical Man Series, Bakalar expresses in visual terms the relationship between external and internal man: man’s surface as exposed to his genetic makeup. Visually, the form of man and the helix blend, creating confusion as to where one ends and the other begins.” ( quote from Paul F. Rovetti, Director, The William Benton Museum of Art) *

“In his works with metal components of convex and concave surfaces, he uses the reflection of the sky and the earth—these fragments of the landscape, themselves supporting the cold radiance of light.“( quote from Tatyana B. Manturova Head, Department of Sculpture, The State Russian Museum)*

“A comparison of Bakalar’s best works with the greatest polished granite art of Egypt shows a deep understanding of the essence of these ancient statues. The tension of form concentrated in them from within is especially close to Bakalar, and he succeeds in following their great example in his stone work.” ( quote from Tatyana B. Manturova Head, Department of Sculpture, The State Russian Museum)*

“Bakalar’s art has a new look but is also influenced by the art of antiquity, which in the twentieth century is perceived in all the sharpness of generalization. His art relates both to the art of inventions of modern civilization and to the monuments of the ancients, but seen anew.” ( quote from Tatyana B. Manturova Head, Department of Sculpture, The State Russian Museum) *

*quotes above are all from Critique page on David Bakalar’s website

Four Sculptures, Each Viewed from Three of Many Sides:

“I’ve always been fascinated by the codes and molecules that are the Life Force. My sculptures, subject to multiple interpretations, abstractly reflect the complexity of this force and our common identity with all of nature. “ (quote from statement by David Bakalar on his website, highly recommended for images and overview.) DAVID BAKALAR SCULPTOR