Understand the design process behind sculpture home installations
Sculpture is related to its environment in a way that goes far beyond any other artform: akin to architecture by its three-dimensional nature, sculpture cannot be seen out of the context of the setting in which it is placed. Rodin once said that sculpture was not placed in a garden to make the garden more beautiful, but rather the garden served to make the sculpture more beautiful.
Richard MacDonald is keenly attuned to the importance of presentation for all of his sculptures, regardless of size, however, he is particularly aware that the setting of his Heroic works is an integral part of the viewer’s experience of the art. For the public placement of his sculpture, Richard MacDonald has designed vast plazas, water features, complex lighting arrangements, and considered vistas and approaches, to make sure the impact of all elements enhances the expressive quality of his work.
Richard MacDonald brings the same level of care and aesthetic sensitivity to the placement and installation of Heroic works in the homes of his collectors, and in the privately-owned buildings that feature his larger scaled pieces. Stunning fountains have been created for private residences, with lighting and water elements thoughtfully planned by the artist himself. Sometimes existing features in the home or landscape have been modified for optimal effect. Grand views are part of the design, whether the sculpture is placed in an interior or exterior location.
Many years from now, the amount of work the artist gives to make the placement of his most important sculptures significant and harmonious will, no doubt, be celebrated as part of his historic legacy. In the moment, it is a valuable resource for collectors who know they are creating an atmosphere of beauty that will endure for decades, or even centuries, to come.