Materially Speaking

Julia Vance: Letters and words


Listen Later

See pictures and read more on materiallyspeaking.com

With abstract calligraphic lines, Julia Vance creates sculptural forms in white Italian Statuario marble. She tells us how she created a modern altar, font and pulpit for a new church in Hønefoss, Norway, which replaced the previous church which had burnt down.

In this episode, Julia describes a piece she was finishing called Passage to Knowledge. Carved in black granite, this monumental sculpture is like a huge letter Q, signifying a question. It comprises a circle with a tail, and is a portal you can pass through.

Julia believes the value of questions is far more important than students being filled up with answers. Passage to Knowledge was unveiled in the schoolyard of the newly opened Flesberg school, Norway, in September 2019. Julia created the piece to honour curiosity and encourage children to engage and play with it.

Another work which plays with calligraphic forms is HOLD #2. This sculpture is inspired by the sweeping lines and curves of the letters H, L and D. The piece invites you to curl up inside the cavity and become the missing letter O. Before going on display in Holland Park, London, HOLD #2 was shown in front of the Norwegian Parliament.

The sculpture group WE-ME #5 was inspired by the idea that the word ‘me’ can easily be turned upside-down to form a ‘we’, much the same way an individual ‘me’ can join a group and become part of a ‘we’. First displayed in 2014 in front of Oslo Central station, the piece has wheels fastened to the side allowing members of the public to rotate the words.

Since 2005 Julia has divided her time between Norway and Italy, creating her letter- and word-inspired sculptures. Having spent most of the pandemic in Norway, she is looking forward to returning to her studio in Pietrasanta to work on new commissions.

juliavance.no

instagram.com/juliavance1

Royal Society of Sculptors

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Materially SpeakingBy Sarah Monk

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

5 ratings


More shows like Materially Speaking

View all
Frank Delaney's Re: Joyce by Frank Delaney

Frank Delaney's Re: Joyce

254 Listeners

Embedded by Logical Elegance

Embedded

189 Listeners

Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts by Dr. Matthew Bunson with Kris McGregor

Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

20 Listeners

Music Student 101 by Jeremy Burns, Matthew Scott Phillips

Music Student 101

245 Listeners

Arlington Catholic Herald by Arlington Catholic Herald

Arlington Catholic Herald

17 Listeners

Sacred Soundings by St. Gabriel Catholic Radio

Sacred Soundings

22 Listeners

Catholic Stuff You Should Know 2010-2013 by J. 10 Initiative

Catholic Stuff You Should Know 2010-2013

118 Listeners

The Delingpod: The James Delingpole Podcast by James Delingpole

The Delingpod: The James Delingpole Podcast

469 Listeners

Sensus Fidelium Catholic Podcast by Sensus Fidelium

Sensus Fidelium Catholic Podcast

351 Listeners

Ask a Medievalist by Ask a Medievalist

Ask a Medievalist

16 Listeners

The Deus Vult Podcast by The Deus Vult Podcast

The Deus Vult Podcast

74 Listeners

Traditional Latin Mass Gospel Readings by Ken Hagen

Traditional Latin Mass Gospel Readings

12 Listeners

Chant School by Floriani

Chant School

90 Listeners

The Altrusian Grace Media Podcast by Altrusian Grace Media

The Altrusian Grace Media Podcast

12 Listeners