Man, Myth and Metal

Most of us know the Greek god of metalworking, Hephaistos, by the name of his Roman counterpart, Vulcan. Based on "The Fire of Hephaistos" traveling exhibition, this tape is an overview of bronze statues of the classical period. Despite the ravages of time, changing political and religious trends, and deterioration caused by environmental factors, enough ancient bronzes remain to intrigue both archeologists and art historians. A strong case is made here for the "serial production" of statues (i.e. ancient mass-production); though pieces tended to be customized and finished differently, they were frequently composites made from near-identical castings. Some less-than-successful composites are shown, leading the viewer to wonder whether they became the equivalent of pink flamingo "yard art" in a previous millennium. Including a contemporary demonstration of the lost wax casting method, this visually exciting piece is warmly recommended for fine arts collections in school, public, and academic libraries, as well as art museums. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)