User:Iowa21?/Welded sculpture

Welded sculptures have a relatively short history, dating back only to the 20th century. Before the development of current welding technology, sculptures made from metal were either cast or forged, and welding was primarily used in the construction industry.

The first welded sculptures were credited to the Russian artist Vladimir Tatlin, who created his first piece of art in 1913. Tatlin was an important figure in the Russian Constructivist movement, which influenced the use of industrial materials in forms they had not yet been used in, mainly art.

In the 1920s and 1930s, more artists followed this path and the experimenting and artistic work of metalworking came to light. Some of the earliest founders in this practice included Julio Gonzalez, and Alexander Calder. Gonzalez was credited and noticed for his welded sculptures that were not only expressive in an abstract manner but functional as well. Calder’s pieces are among some of the most famous examples of welded sculptures, as they often hang from ceilings or trees. They were mobile structures that responded to air currents, moving in mesmerizing ways that were intriguing to the human eye.

During the mid-20th century, welded sculptures continued to evolve, artists now have access to different materials, techniques, and technology that weren’t available to the early founders. In the 1950s and 1960s, large-scale industrial materials such as steel beams and large plates were utilized to construct monumental sculptures that were march larger than the ones in the past. Artists such as David Smith, Anthony Caro , and Richard Serra were among the first group of artists to create these large-scale sculptures.

Today, welded sculptures are an established form of contemporary art, with artists continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with modern materials and technology.