The Concept of Balance as an Aesthetic Value in Contemporary Sculpture in the Kurdistan Region

Abstract

This research examines the concept of balance in contemporary artwork from a comprehensive perspective. The research problem is summarized as follows: What is the concept of balance as an aesthetic value in contemporary sculpture in the Kurdistan Region? In the theoretical section, Part One (The concept of balance and its types): there are several types of balance in the artistic framework, including A. symmetrical balance, B. asymmetrical balance, and C. illusory (hidden) balance, in addition to the applications of balance in art. Part Two (Balance in artwork). Part Three (Contemporary sculpture in the Kurdistan Region, origin and development). The researcher used the descriptive–analytical method to analyze the works, focusing on three models of Kurdish artists from the period (2006–2016). The importance of the research stems from its artistic dimension. It represents a valuable intellectual contribution to aesthetic thought, studying this conceptual change and highlighting the value of balance as one of the most important aesthetic principles in contemporary sculpture in the Kurdistan Region. Research objectives: to identify the concept of balance as an aesthetic value in contemporary sculpture in the Kurdistan Region. Important results: Balance is a basic visual and aesthetic element. It is used in contemporary sculptural works by Kurdish artists to achieve harmony between masses and spaces. The forms of balance appear whether symmetrical, asymmetrical, or dynamic and many works are characterized by this balance. Local artists rely on balance to create a sense of visual stability, despite their experimentation with contemporary forms. Conclusions: Balance represents a visual and aesthetic foundation in contemporary Kurdish sculpture. Most contemporary sculptural works in the Kurdistan Region show a clear reliance on the concept of balance as a key factor in achieving harmony between form and space and maintaining the stability of the artwork, despite innovations in style and technique.