Metal Art Prototypes and Metal Art Overview

What is a prototype? Wikipedia defines it as “an original type, form, or instance of something serving as a typical example, basis, or standard for other things of the same category.” So that means a metal art prototype is something that is something new, perhaps an experiment, based on which a range of artwork may flow.

Metal art is a huge field. From a uniquely designed paper clip to a beautifully proportioned sports car that gives the impression of speed even when standing still, to the most complex and large pieces of metal sculpture, they are all metal art. But each product and even each concept would have had to have had a starting point. The first piece a metal artist creates is a metal art prototype.

The artist can never be certain that what he pictures in his mind will look the same when translated in physical fact. Prototypes allows the artist to have the first look at how his concept appears when it takes real form. If the artist is lucky, it will match the exactly match the concept, and nothing further needs to be done to it – it is a finished work of art that can be sold. But more often when confronted with the metal art prototype, the artist will find flaws in the design or areas where if can be improved to enhance its appeal.

Metal art takes many forms – heating and shaping metal, welding, casting or just bonding pieces together. What ever method is used, metal art has the advantage that a metal art prototype, unlike a stone sculpture and often a painting, can be reworked. The metal art prototype may be reshaped, added to, deducted from re-colored or modified in any way. Even a cast pieces can be re-melted and reshaped.

A metal art prototype may be worked on continuously until the artist is satisfied that the artwork is what he wants it to be. Even once satisfied by the form of the prototype, the artist can keep experimenting and trying new embellishments to see if further improvements can be done. Once he feels that nothing further can be done to improve the prototype, the artist will often create a second prototype based on the first. This is done because the first prototype, which may have gone through many changes, will not be perfect and will not have the appeal and power of an unmodified piece. The artist, upon seeing the second metal art prototype may still not be satisfied and make more modifications. After this he may go in for a third prototype and the process may continue until he is satisfied.

Metal art prototypes allow artists to convert concepts in the mind to three dimensional reality. If the reality does not match the concept, it may be changed until it does. Metal art prototypes also give the artists the flexibility to experiment to see what combinations of metals to use, whether other materials should be incorporated, what dimensions and colors are best, what type of lighting and against what background a planned work of art will appear at its best. Once he is satisfied with the prototype, the artist can produce the finished work of metal art.