Geometry of Fear

A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art | 1999 | 700+ words | Copyright

Geometry of Fear. A term coined by Herbert Read to characterize the angst-ridden look of the work of a group of eight British sculptors who exhibited together at the 1952 Venice Biennale: Robert Adams, Kenneth Armitage, Reg Butler, Lynn Chadwick, Geoffrey Clarke, Bernard Meadows, Eduardo Paolozzi, and William Turnbull. Several were strongly influenced by the ‘Existentialist’ sculptures of Giacometti and Richier, with their spindly forms and tortured surfaces, which seemed to encapsulate the anguish and bewilderment of the post-war generation. This was the first major international showing for these British sculptors, but their work made a strong impact; Alfred H. Barr wrote that ‘it seemed to many foreigners the most distinguished national showing of the Biennale.’

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IAN CHILVERS. "Geometry of Fear." A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Geometry of Fear." A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O5-GeometryofFear.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Geometry of Fear." A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. 1999. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O5-GeometryofFear.html

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