Great philosophers and spiritualists alike have said that life and death are but shape-shifting illusions; opposing paradigms bound in reciprocal tension, captured only by light. One moment, full of fire; the next pale and wan. There is perhaps no better metaphoric material for Joe Intili's ultimate masterpiece than fire agate. For like life itself it can combine vivid, radiant, living color with bone white stillness. Since we are not artists we can only speculate as to what Joe Intili first saw through the "window" of this rough stone. But his eyes lit up and in typical understated fashion he said, "I can do something special with this one." The stone is an old Arizona fire agate acquired by FAI from Gordon McGinley presumably via Gordon's extensive Alsop estate purchase. The 360 degree carving encompasses the entire stone. It would be oversimplification to say that one side represents life and the other death. For, in this work of art, the transitions are subtle. The effect is more like life turning into death turning back into life. While there is no exact division between sides, there is confluence of energy, with each paradigm being distinct. The "Life" image presents a robed man seated serenely. From the details in the hair, face and beard to the vertical lines of cloth-like color that define the garment nothing is missing. The stone's translucent colors change, often dramatically, with each changing element. And the effect is stunning. The "Death" image, similarly seated or kneeling, is no less spectacular. It's human features, a skeletal face and arm, are sculpted white and grey ghost chalcedony. The hooded shroud is brown matrix agate. It took just over six
months of carving and polishing by hand to complete this piece. Variations in hardness
(amounts of silica present) within the stone itself posed particular problems in bringing
up the color combinations and holding them through the polishing process. Generally
animated at all times, Bob Beaudry speaks of this stone with an awed reverence. There is
no question in his mind this is the finest fire agate carving ever done. It could never,
he says, be duplicated. All variables considered, he is most likely correct. And if, as
Michelangelo said, sculpture is the art of releasing the form from the stone, Joe Intili
has indeed honored the master. |
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