Oh how I miss Pietrasanta! Was planning a return this fall and then the pandemic hit, sigh!!! My first trip, carving at Studio Palla in 1991, changed my life forever - returned many, many times - but sadly things changed dramatically and artists, studios and the artigiani and shops tied to marble sculpture were forced to the outskirts - not a good change IMHO, but an economically rewarding change for the wealthy and hopefully the finances of Pietrasanta (but I will forever miss the profound heart and soul of the town). Thanks for the video (great to see Joe looking so healthy) and sharing your experiences (especially the tool purchasing, drool, drool). It's good to see that younger sculptors such as yourself are still discovering Pietrasanta anew - and never stop pursuing your dreams.
Such a wonderful comment. I would love to hear more from you about the Pietrasanta of old. I feel I have missed out on the heyday of the sculpture culture in the town setting itself. I am glad you enjoyed the video and really appreciate your positive thoughts :) Joe is a force of nature and a great artist.
Truly an amazing and beautiful place. I've always had a fascination for stone and I am in awe as to what an artist can do with it. I have only met one sculptor (in southern Indiana), he made his work look so easy. The stone so smooth. The huge rock turned into beauty. Yes, I can feel your wanting to sculpt. Thank you for an exceptional film. Good luck in your future endeavors. NB Corydon, IN
You are so very welcome. It is a magical place. Stone, especially marble, is such a powerful medium and for me one of the ultimate challenges as a sculptor. You have to work with the stone in order to reveal its inherent beauty.
Dang, I used to draw and still love art so much, but haven’t done any myself in so long because of life interfering, this has really inspired me to get back into it! Really awesome to see you pursuing your passion like this!
Amazing film! I liked all the info but also how you provided the almost philosophical aspect of how traditional methods are lost to the new technologies.
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I am philosophical about the new technologies. They are useful for speed, but often there is a quality loss in the sculptures if only mechanical tools are used not to mention a sense of poetry.
@@JylBonaguro I think the old ways should be preserved in everything we do. It seems to me you are doing an amazing job in achieving that. Please do not stop! Keep inspiring and influencing, we need humans like you, now more than ever.
Great video-nice to see the story of Carrara. I'm currently reading, The Agony and The Ecstasy (for the second time). SO nice and refreshing to hear someone (especially in the Art World) correctly pronounce Michelangelo's name. Thank you! FYI: "Victory" was the inspiration for the Nike corporation.
So glad you enjoyed the footage along with proper pronunciations! The Agony and The Ecstasy is such a great book. I should definitely reread it myself. Ciao
@@JylBonaguro I don't have steady-reading habits. I've got about 250 pages to go. I'll let you know an of course I'll need an address to send it to. BTW, the first book I ever was part of a "share" was On The Road-back in the 90's. People would read it, print their name and date read on the back inside cover and pass it along. We should do that with this....
When he mentions sculptures made by ‘robots’, does he mean carvers using power tools instead of manual chisels ? It would have been great seeing these robots sculpting the marble he was talking about.
For a mine it has great acoustics and to work on a rejected piece of marble that would take guts and Michelangelo designed his own water system that could constantly rinse the statue so the dust would be kept to a minimum. For a reject it turned out to be famous.
The acoustics in the mine are incredible. It's a special place. I cannot rinse the sculpture in my studio that would require a drainage system which is currently not feasible, so I actually am in the process of grinding and recycling all the dust and remnants for marble casting. Stay tuned :)
sorry about that! my studio address is 4200 w Diversey Ave 17A, Chicago, IL 60639 I have a book coming out in the fall btw :) Really appreciate it! @@leonardodalongisland
I am always happy to discuss commissions. Please view my website jylbonaguro.com/purchase-art-contact-sales/ and fill out the contact form and I will telephone or email you.