
Artists create sculptures incorporating both rigid and flexible metal elements through a combination of material selection, advanced techniques, and creative vision. The process begins with choosing metals like steel for rigidity and copper or aluminum for flexibility. Techniques such as welding, forging, and cold forming allow artists to join these materials seamlessly.
Welding is often used to fuse rigid structural frames with pliable metal sheets or wires, while forging enables the shaping of flexible metals into flowing forms. Some artists employ kinetic elements, using flexible joints or springs to introduce movement. Others layer thin, malleable metals over sturdy armatures to create contrasting textures.
Modern sculptors also experiment with alloys and heat treatments to achieve desired properties in different sections of a single piece. The interplay between rigid and flexible components often symbolizes themes of balance, tension, or transformation in the artwork.
Successful execution requires deep understanding of metal behavior under stress and environmental factors. Many artists combine traditional blacksmithing methods with contemporary fabrication technologies to push the boundaries of metal sculpture. The result is dynamic artwork that captivates through its combination of strength and fluidity.