Statue on triangular base

This sculpture shows how Alexander Archipenko breaks with traditional sculpture after he comes into contact with the cubists in Paris in 1910. He no longer depicts reality: the human figure is only the reason for the creation of independent forms. By rhythmically alternating concave and convex, light and shadow, a dynamic play of geometric elements is created. As in cubist paintings, the artist combines different viewpoints at the same time. The title indicates that the pedestal is an integral part of the sculpture.

Non-European art is one of the most important sources of inspiration for the development of cubist art. Western art history always calls non-European art “primitive” and cubism “avant-garde”. This expresses a value judgement that we find problematic today.

The Ukrainian-American artist Alexander Archipenko moved to Paris in 1909, where he was the first after Pablo Picasso to apply cubism in three dimensions. He is considered the first true cubist sculptor and is therefore a pioneer of modern sculpture. He experiments with colour, material, form and technique. Archipenko also attaches great importance to education and opens several of his own art schools. In 1923 he emigrated to the US.