| Popis: |
There are not so many zinc sculptures in Belgrade’s public spaces. Due to its rather unappealing light grey colour, high brittleness, and aesthetically unpleasing patina, this bright metal, a common ingredient in many alloys - mostly copper ones - was not used as sculptural material prior to the advancements in metallurgy and development of the electro galvanization process creating a specific finish resembling more expensive, traditional sculptural materials, bronze in the first place. This paper sheds some light on cultural and historical circumstances which favoured the individual and somewhat more frequent use of zinc in sculpture over a relatively short period of time, in the 19th and the early 20th century. Drawing on the example of Belgrade’s zinc sculptures, the article also provides an insight into the conservation issues and disadvantages of the use of this metal in creating free-standing sculptures. |
