Bathers is a series of five large-scale, hand-painted bronze sculptures derived from virtual paintings.
Starting as experiments in virtual reality, Eric Fischl produced a series of paintings inspired by his acclaimed beach scenes. The Google Tilt Brush application enabled Fischl to collage motifs together. Suspended in a three-dimensional space, Fischl’s brushstrokes were ‘tissues of colour’ that collectively formed a scene, allowing for additions and subtractions to the composition with the click of a button.
“The experience of painting in virtual reality is for me as a painter, both familiar and completely new.”
Processed by Vortic, the Tilt Brush files were sent to Pangolin Editions, where they were translated into bronze sculptures through a pioneering process. This involved 3D printing the images into sections, painting wax to mimic the texture of paint, casting these parts in bronze, and then welding the artwork back together.
“Working backwards from the newest VR technology to the age-old process of bronze casting represents the journey these sculptures have taken. No question about it, we live in an age of technological wonder, and being able to bring together these two disparate technologies is irresistible to me as an artist.”
The final stage involved Fischl hand-painting the finished compositions. Progressing from digital canvas to physical bronze, ranging from 1.7 to 2 metres in height, Fischl animated each work with a vibrancy that resonates throughout his painting practice.
“It feels like a painter’s idea of sculpture.“
Installation Views, Eric Fischl: Bathers, Victoria Miro Venice
© Eric Fischl
Images and text courtesy the Artist and Vortic.