GARGOYLES & GROTESQUES

REDUCTION

SCULPTURE!!!

The term ‘gargoyle’ originally only applied to architectural sculptures that acted as drainpipes. Typically, they were placed on the end of buttresses, pointing out from the buildings to project water away from the walls and foundations – protecting them from erosion.

<< on the back of this goat gargoyle, you can see the channel where the water flows through.

A Grotesque is an architectural sculpture that does not act as a drainpipe: it’s purely decorative.

The terms gargoyle and grotesque may have specific technical meanings, but for the most part, we now call any architectural sculpture (in Western art, anyway) a gargoyle.

Gargoyles and grotesques were prevalent in medieval and Gothic architecture: mostly on churches and cathedrals. It’s thought that on Christian buildings, they were a visual message: meant to frighten the largely illiterate population into coming to church:

The creatures depicted the horrors of Hell and other ugly side-effects of sinful behavior (one common example of this are gargoyles that are shown covering their ears – refusing to listen to the Gospel, the message of the church).

When looking up at a

gargoyle, how does it make

you feel?

How would looking up at this one make you feel?

How about this one?

These forms were once a square stone.

This guy is eating a tourist.

What do time and the elements do to stone?

Who even sees some of these things?

What if every time you looked out your window, one of these guys was always there… watching…

Why would they put that up there?

What’s that even supposed to be?

Some contemporary “gargoyles”.

Some old gargoyles…

How does location affect the gargoyle’s meaning? How is a gargoyle on a house – or a castle – different from a gargoyle on a church or cathedral?

What does a gargoyle say about

the person who carved it?

What you’re doing today:

1. Complete the WEBQUEST worksheet.2. Follow the brainstorming instructions at the end of the worksheet to start designing your gargoyle.

Write the following requirements in your sketchbook with your brainstorming:

• Must be carved from at least 3 sides.• Include a space that goes completely through

the form (a hole).• Must be painted to look like stone.• Begin with large, basic shapes and work toward

fine details.• Incorporate your name somewhere in the

carving (can be initials or part of your name).• Write a narrative (can be a “day in the life”, first-person from

the point of view of the gargoyle) about the gargoyle