A Sense of Wholeness – Metal Sculpture by German Artist Rüdiger Seidt
I think we fail to speak about the fact that art offers us a reference point, something that can fill out our lives and make us consider others viewpoints, or our own for that matter, in more detail. When you see a kind of ‘completeness’ in a series of work it brings a sense of inner contentment that’s very difficult to explain through the use of words. Every so often you come across a true talent who seems to have achieved this perfect harmony that I speak about above. Sculpture in particular is full of shapes that are often off-kilter and there’s a certain amount of asymmetry that needs to be compensated for when crafting. This work by German artist Rüdiger Seidt almost appears effortless and the forms express a wholeness that’s very rare to come across.
Rüdiger’s sculptures are handmade at his studio located in a disused factory in the northern part of the Black Forest, a mountain range in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany. This area features breathtaking scenery that combines rocky hillsides with a mixture of vibrant colours found scattered throughout the landscape. The steel sculptures handcrafted by Rudiger look to use these weathered tones and offer a connection to this specific environment, also linking in mathematic principles such as the “Tetrahedron Model”, a model that uses the four basic triangles in a number of formations to create harmonious sculpture that’s synced to itself and the space that it inhabits.
Maybe this is the reason why I was so enamoured by them, there’s an affinity that works not only optically but also spiritually. Many sculpture lacks this mysterious quality, all the more strengthened by the ever changing viewpoints as you shuffle from side to side. Rüdiger is a craftsman at heart, and a detailed one at that. Seeing these in situ, especially working in collaboration with nature, must be quite something and makes you think about the power of sculpture and what an artist is actually trying to achieve through their work. I think Rüdiger has been able to work in a conversation with the surroundings and produce a selection of sculpture that’s not only relevant now but will surely be important for many more generations to come.