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Wolfgang VaatzLyrical Sculpture
Wolfgang Vaatz wants people to recall nature's beauty. by Sara Ford The sculpture of artist Wolfgang Vaatz possesses the lyrical grace of a mountain creek, that gentle rush of silver which replenishes and uplifts spirits nourished by nature. In deed, Vaatz's indoor/outdoor water sculpture is symphonic, engaging both visual and auditory senses, as well as the emotions. "I want people to relate to their experiences in nature and recall the soothing sounds of a murmuring creek, its beauty and peacefulness," Vaatz says. "With this dimension in mind, my sculptures are far more than just fountains that recycle water." The Stoneware pieces, which incorporate a pump, are visually exquisite. Each sculpture is carefully crafted, creating the sense that one is standing before a majestic cliff, chiseled carefully by nature, or a layered rock formation, arranged painstakingly by erosion over the eons. A sense of deja vu can occur. "Often shapes are inspired by real places. Rather than naturalistic rendering, I like to convey certain qualities in these works, such as the kind of experiences a particular place offers," Vaatz explains. Vaatz, who now lives near Sedona, was born in southwest Africa. He received much of his education in Germany. Originally a painter with a number of successful exhibitions abroad, Vaatz has long been fascinated with the creative forces of water. He turned to sculpture to explore space. "Sculpting is a process that goes beyond merely carving a piece of rock or shaping clay. Sculpting defines space," he says. "It is a form of communication where shapes and colors engage with one another, thereby reaching out to the senses, creating an emotional and rational response." Artist's Word
About my Work
My work is a translation of specific landscapes or experiences that I have had in nature into fine art and Sculptures. I am not approaching my work to design fountains even if they have technical and functional similarities. It is like associating a kangaroo hopping over Australian grassland with a grasshopper - both hop and eat plants. Both, fountains and my sculptures, have running water. Traditionally, a fountain is a man made device to funnel water and direct pressured water in a certain pattern for pleasure or function. For greater aesthetics sculptural elements are added to fountains. In contrast, my work is about translating a natural landscape into a form of art. I was always fascinated and drawn to places with water and places shaped by water in our natural landscape. I painted rivers and little streams after the rain, waves at the ocean, canyons and dry riverbeds in the desert. Yet, painting all this was not enough for me: the landscape, a three dimensional space, should be experienced in three dimensional space, including the sound and movement of water to make that experience as alive and interactive as possible. My art is a way to share with you the experiences and connections with some of the most beautiful landscapes around the world that I have been fortunate to visit and to experience which I like to pass on. About the Artist
Wolfgang Vaatz
Wolfgang Vaatz has worked as a professional artist since 1986. Born in 1959 in Windhoek, Namibia, formerly Southwest Africa, he spent his early childhood in the African desert landscape. Having been raised in an arid environment, Wolfgang’s love for water is profound. As a child, he played with mud whenever available. Paying close attention to what is happening around him, he is intrigued by structures and shapes of dry water flows, rocks in a stream, or to the sound of flowing water. From Namibia, he and his family lived one year in Chicago, then in Heidelberg, Germany, where he received his main education. For several years, beginning in 1986, prolonged trips led him to Namibia to study and create. In particular, he studied the desert landscape, especially the creations of water and erosion. He invented an unconventional, experimental style, using soil, desert sand, and acrylic paint on canvas. Successful exhibitions in Namibia and Germany followed. Eventually, the emphasis on texture in the paintings and the need to explore space further guided Wolfgang to sculpt with clay. As he was always intrigued by the forces of water in the landscape water would soon become a physical part of the sculptures. After immigrating to the United States in 1996, Wolfgang started to exhibit water sculptures in the United States. His work has been warmly received by business and private collections throughout the nation. Having moved to Arizona, Wolfgang is again reconnected to his source of inspiration: the desert landscape and mountain springs. |