Sculpture and the Environment — Unit test Answers

The sketch shows a skyscraper, specifically the Chrysler Building, which is an example of a steel-frame structure. This type of building is tall, narrow, and supported by an internal skeleton of steel rather than thick masonry walls. Developments in steel-frame construction and the invention of the elevator made this building, and others like it, possible. New engineering techniques also allowed architects to build higher and more safely.

The image shows a medieval castle tower using masonry construction with battlements. This crenellated design was common in Medieval castles because it provided defensive positions for archers while protecting the walls from invaders.

This sculpture was carved out of limestone. After it was carved, it was painted and gilded, meaning it had gold details.

This sculpture is entitled Pieta, and was sculpted by Michelangelo. It is located inside St. Peter’s Basilica, inside the Vatican. The main thing we can notice is that the light hits the different figures and parts of the sculpture so that each casts shadows onto one another.

Architecture is the art of building or constructing. An architect is a person who designs pieces of architecture. An architect must understand the technical skills of design and construction, as well as what is required to make a piece of architecture functional and/or aesthetically pleasing.

Answers will vary, but may include the following: The type of sculpture depends on the design and final product the artist wishes to produce. The decision of what type of sculpture may be influenced by the environment it will be shown in, the tool and materials the arts has to work with, the time an artist has to create a piece, and/or the purpose of the sculpture.

An artist must consider how the sculpture will look from all angles, in other words whether the sculpture will be interesting and pleasing from all angles. Figures are rarely unposed because the artist wants the viewer to have different and interesting details to take in, no matter what angle the sculpture is looked at from.

A corbel arch is an arch carries the thrust of weight to its sides. It uses a post-and-lintel, in which the lintel supports all the weight above it. A corbel arch is unique because it is the oldest form of arch known in architecture.

A sculpture series is a group of interrelated objects that exist together in a space. The artist has to consider how to arrange the individuals pieces so that they convey whatever meaning or message the artist is seeking.