Silent hands make light work

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Watching the late Hans Josephson work in his studio silently places the mind into a blissful state of quiet.  His work is contained in the Swiss La Congiunta museum, in Giornico, which is devoted to his work.  The film that records his studio work offers admirable meditation from a life that has gracefully dealt with tragedy.

The humanity of the Artist is etched onto the surface of each work in the form of fingerprints, smears and scrapes left intentionally on the finished texture of the piece.  The enormity of each piece in conjunction with its honesty means that the work defines the space around it.

This work shows how feelings emerge from the flesh.  Hans Josephson captures the enormity of the human experience in solid works with a profound gravity.  Layers of plaster are placed onto the work only to be removed later by the Artist to create the shapes on display.  This technique strips away any barriers the final structure may have that separate itself from the viewer.  As a result of this the human figurines bear an incredible truth.

One work bleeds into another.  In shaping the distorted abstract figures each human life is treated with dignity and detail.  It is the bubbling emotions buried so deep within that surface emerging on their own terms that invites the viewer back for a second and third visit.

Throughout the exhibition each human life is equal with a similar weight given to revealing the emotions behind their personalities.  Watching the rhythm of the Artist create these pieces of sculpture in his studio feels like the definition of silence.  Walking around the finished sculpture, sometimes with faces, so huge I feel like a small planet circling the globe, in the hush of this museum, I reckon that silence is the most precious gift you can give a fellow human being.  Silence oozes dignity.

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More insights into the sound of silence can be found here

find an audio book inspired by the silence of gardens here

37 thoughts on “Silent hands make light work”

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    • It’s a blast to finally get a bit of sunlight and blue skies!! Thank you so much. Hope sun is shining in your neck of the woods. Love your ‘Desert Plant’ photos on your blog. Great capture of light there. I am learning from you!

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      • ~”☆smiles☆”~ you’re wonderful and brilliant! And yes! The sun is brighter then ever here last four days has so graciously bronzed my skin with 90° and above temperatures. It’s the warmest winter I ever spent! I’ll post some new plants I discovered today while wondering around aimlessly in the desert heat. “laughing”***

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  7. I hadn’t heard of this artist, and so googled him. After seeing his work (of which I can’t say that I am a fan), I understood your post much better when I re read it (and I am impressed with your writing). I have a feeling I could learn a lot from your posts. 🙂
    I do not know how to link your site on my site (I am a newbie on WP).

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    • Thank so much for this comment. I think the sculptures in the flesh have a superficial texture that is engaging because you can see the layers of plaster and the process Josephson went through to create the mammoth piece. For me personally the process of Art sometimes eclipses the impact of the finished piece. I read a lot about the Artist’s life history, having to leave behind his life during WW2. I don’t think Josephson is trying to gain our sympathy but it gave me an insight into the role the process of Art in life. I am following your blog! Your site is full of joy. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

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  8. There are certainly so many forms of silence but few feel pleasant. I love the silence of the mind when you shut everything out once you’re outdoors (away from people, cars, work etc) . At first it feels eerie but then so peaceful and moving at the same time as you realise it’s not silence at all – there’s your own breath, the crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot, the call of animals to each other, little critters skittering under bushes or up trees as they hear your passage, the wind, rain… and so on. It feels like a form of movement meditation for me.

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  10. Thanks so much for reading and taking a moment to investigate. I think his work will endure and grow in recognition because of his clear creative process! Love your post on silence, such a beautiful bitter sweet post ;-D

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    • That’s high praise! The wordpress challenges are awesomely inspiring and definitely bring out the best in an idea. I am enjoying the fiction you write so beautifully on your site Zara! ;-D I look out for more now in my Reader.

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  14. Thanks for the pingback Lita, and the intro to your world. Beautiful blog, will enjoy exploring it and learning from your unique style. I too was looking to see some Josephson along side your inviting post but will Google him. Will also enjoy exploring all those other silence posts, a very important subject. Just out of curiosity, how did I get chosen, or were all two hundred chosen?
    More next time.

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    • Hello Sandra!

      Some of my emails alerting me to new comments went astray, so here is a bit of a late reply!! I tend to do ping backs to a wide range of the writing responses so a reader can get a nice selection to enjoy. I love the way there are so many diverse styles, so I go for different topics (and good writing!!).

      Apologies for delay… I have just had a good dose of inspiration from your gorgeous website. 😀

      Lita

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    • LIkewise! Thanks so much for this encouragement. Means a lot. I am enjoying the fiction on your blog. There is so much inspiration to enjoy. Great to be in touch on the blogosphere. Looking forward to seeing your next posts in my Reader! 😉

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  18. As someone who has always been considered “a talker” [putting in nicely of course], it took me a long while to understand the immense value of silence. I am still a loquacious lady but I value silence. great reflective piece

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    • Great choice of word – loquacious – love that. Huge thanks for your lovely comment… from a fellow talker! ;-D

      I’m having a great time visiting your blog. I enjoy your well informed posts very much, full of crisp sharp writing. Have a terrific week!

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