Swiss sculptor Christian Bolt revives ancient terra secca technique
Swiss sculptor Christian Bolt (born 1972 in Uster) has rediscovered the ancient terra secca technique after encountering a Michelangelo torso at the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence. In an interview, he discusses his new project TERRA SECCA, which aims not to replicate historical methods but to reinvent them using local materials from his native region. The project is interdisciplinary, combining art with scientific research, and has a strong sustainability focus: Bolt plans to eventually teach the technique to young art students. He criticizes contemporary sculpture for losing its soul due to an over-reliance on technology and predicts that much of it will deteriorate within 50 years due to poor material choices. The research phase of TERRA SECCA is planned for a minimum of three years, after which Bolt hopes to present a series of significant works internationally.
Key facts
- Christian Bolt is a Swiss sculptor born in 1972 in Uster.
- He discovered a Michelangelo torso at the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence.
- The terra secca technique was used in the Renaissance mainly for preparatory studies.
- Bolt's project TERRA SECCA combines local materials with the ancient technique.
- The project is interdisciplinary, involving art and scientific research.
- Bolt plans to transmit sustainable art practices to young students.
- He believes contemporary sculpture has lost authenticity due to technology.
- He predicts much contemporary sculpture will deteriorate within 50 years.
- The TERRA SECCA research is planned for at least three years.
- Bolt cites Hans Sedlmayr's book 'The Loss of the Center' in the interview.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Bolt
- Michelangelo
- Giambologna
- Hans Sedlmayr
Institutions
- Accademia delle Arti del Disegno
- Artribune
Locations
- Uster
- Switzerland
- Florence
- Italy