My personal ‘spherical journey’ has taken me to some interesting places. Spherical objects are very tactile, but are also visually, mentally and emotionally captivating. The sphere is a symbol that has been used in different media since primitive times and there seems to be an innate connectivity between humans and the sphere. Very obviously the human head is roughly spherical and the rounded shapes of the human body seem to be associated with sensuality and sexuality. Through making spherical sculptural shapes, I have been aware of a meditative effect in touching and looking at them, as if a primitive side of me has a personal relationship with it.
My own spheres are of a fairly basic construction and are meant to predominantly arouse a visual interest for a degree show piece, rather than being highly crafted and refined creations made from pottery etc. In looking at the use of the sphere in other artist’s work, I have found that it features across the spectrum of art-forms. I have been particularly drawn to its use by potters, and especially in the work of the late Toshido Takaezu (1932-2011) a Hawaiian Potter of Japanese descent (in pictures above) (www.franklloyd.com). Toshido Takaezu was particularly influenced by her interest in Zen Buddhism which is an area I am especially drawn to.
Returning more specifically to the symbolism of the sphere (and the circle), Zen Buddhism views this shape as representing an important element in the search for enlightenment. Monks and Nuns would practice the art of calligraphy and practice painting the circular shape (The Enso) over and over again (zenpaintings.com) to assist reach the meditative state of ‘Nothingness’ or ‘Sunyata’ (www.buddhanet.net) .
Carl Jung also considered symbols to be of great importance to humankind. Jung refers to Dr von Franz’s ideas in his own work ‘Man and His symbols’ (1964) and states that,
The circle is a symbol of the Self. It expresses the totality of the psyche in all its aspects, including the relationship between man and the whole of nature. (Jung, 1964, p.266)
In a lecture to the C.G. Jung Society, Howard W Tyas, Jr., discusses the multi-faceted symbol of the ball and quotes the Jungian analyst and author Barbara Hannah as stating,
…I could say that a ball is a symbol of the self – that self-regulating center of the psyche and personality – and we could call it a night… But a ball, as a symbol, is as multi-faceted and complex as the self. (Tyas, 1999)
(Available at: www.jungiananalyticpraxis.com)
(Accessed: 17 March 2017)
As one can see in the pictures, some of my own balls are being covered in sifted soil, with the intention of making them look like large solid spheres of earth. One of my ideas at present, is to create an installation with a number of such spheres surrounding a wooden standing structure. The overall look and feel of the concept, is to convey an ancient and perhaps ritualistic / meditative atmosphere. (See blog entry ‘Rainschemes for Insomniacs / connection with Ritual).
