coulage

(noun)

Automatic or involuntary sculpture made by pouring a molten material (such as metal, wax, or chocolate) into cold water. As the material cools it takes on what appears to be a random (or aleatoric) form, though the physical properties of the materials involved may lead to a conglomeration of discs or spheres.

Related Terms

Examples of coulage in the following topics:

  • Sculpture

    • The advent of Surrealism led to objects being described as "sculpture" that would not have been so previously, like "coulage" and other forms of "involuntary sculpture. " In later years, Picasso became a prolific potter, leading a revival in ceramic art with other notables including George E.

  • Abstract Sculpture

    • Surrealist sculpture made use of many of the same techniques as other forms of Surrealist art, such as games to tap into the unconscious mind such as coulage, a kind of automatic or involuntary sculpture made by pouring a molten material into cold water.