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[Documentation of work produced within the Master of Fine Art course]

thesis
posted on 2023-05-27, 06:44 authored by Bonde, Ian
My first paper, 'Franz Xaver Messerschmidt and Plumbism' has been written primarily as a case study. I believe that it is an important example in describing the connection between the body and the mind. Questions surrounding this relationship have for millenia, lain prominently within the domain of human self discovery. Attempts to quantify and qualify the connection between our bodies and our minds have produced a plethora of theories and ideas. Some are more plausible than others. However, none have completely and satisfactorily explained this most basic and fundamental aspect of our selves. Just as this vexing question remains as one of the great enigmas of existence, so too is the life and work of this eighteenth century sculptor. His curious set of busts continues to invite speculation. Having previously developed an interest in his work, I was fortunate enough whilst in London, to see an exhibition of many of his busts shown in conjunction with overdrawings by Arnulf Rainer at the I.C.A. This was a marvelous opportunity to view the works. The true power and sense of oddity can only be felt in front of the actual objects. Upon the commencement of my M.F.A. course, I began with the notion of representing the spiritual and the physical, the mind and the body. The strange sculpture of Franz Messerschmidt seemed an appropriate avenue to investigate. I have written an account which considers his work within the guise of the body/mind question and posits a possible explanation. My second paper developed as my practical work progressed. I distilled my interest in the body/mind problem, settling into a direction concerned with the Seven Deadly Sins. I had been curious as to the historical development of this notion and noted the interest shown in this subject in recent times. The work of Heironymus Bosch in the Prado museum in Madrid impressed me greatly. His images and ideas (and those of other medieval artists such as Breugel) provided an intriguing insight into another time and another world. It also gave me an alternative viewpoint on the connection between the physical and the spiritual, the body and the mind. The underlying theme behind all the written work is a questioning of human self. The connection between the papers, the documentation, and my practical work, is the broader investigation of the relationship between the body and the mind.

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Copyright 1992 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s). Library has additional copy on microfiche. Thesis (M.F.A.)--University of Tasmania, 1993

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