LIFTED Carving Marble documentary on Sculptor Jyl Bonaguro in Pietrasanta & Carrara Italy

In the summer of 2016, sculptor Jyl Bonaguro was living and working in Pietrasanta, Italy, the city of artists. This documentary by Motion Filmworks follows her journey to the tops of white marble mountains of Carrara for the finest marble in the world for her Modern Athena sculpture. The film explores the evolution of technology for marble sculpture and the environmental effects on the landscape in the midst of stunning aerial views of the quarries. It has always been Jyl's dream to carve a female figure at the same scale of Michelangelo’s David. This Modern Athena sculpture is about not accepting prior limitations, not just for herself, but for everyone.
Special thanks to the talented team at Motion Filmworks, Maggie & Dorian Iribarren for documenting her artist journey.
Director & DP: Dorian Iribarren
Creative Director: Maggie Iribarren
Editor & Colorist - Dorian Iribarren
Location: Pietrasanta, Italy
Special Thanks To
Jyl Bonaguro: Sculptor, Artist, Playwright jylbonaguro.com
Christian Lange: Artist - marbleartwork.com/
Joseph Sheppard: Artist & Sculptor josephsheppard.com/
Carlo Musetti: Geologist - Carrara, Italy
Zackary Schneider: Recording Engineer
Contact Info
Motion Filmworks
Web: motionfilmworks.com
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
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[@cyrusroshdieh9977]

This is a truly amazing documentary film, great job and thanks for making this for the world. People have no clue about this stuff

[@JylBonaguro]

Glad you enjoyed it :) Your kind words and appreciation make a difference.

[@BethHallmark]

October 2024, I move to Pietrasanta. Grazie mille mia amica Jyl!

[@edieheller2497]

Oh how I miss Pietrasanta! Was planning a return this fall and then the pandemic hit, sigh!!! My first trip, carving at Studio Palla in 1991, changed my life forever - returned many, many times - but sadly things changed dramatically and artists, studios and the artigiani and shops tied to marble sculpture were forced to the outskirts - not a good change IMHO, but an economically rewarding change for the wealthy and hopefully the finances of Pietrasanta (but I will forever miss the profound heart and soul of the town). Thanks for the video (great to see Joe looking so healthy) and sharing your experiences (especially the tool purchasing, drool, drool). It's good to see that younger sculptors such as yourself are still discovering Pietrasanta anew - and never stop pursuing your dreams.

[@JylBonaguro]

Such a wonderful comment. I would love to hear more from you about the Pietrasanta of old. I feel I have missed out on the heyday of the sculpture culture in the town setting itself. I am glad you enjoyed the video and really appreciate your positive thoughts :) Joe is a force of nature and a great artist.

[@karem3684]

Bellissimo! Enjoyed through and through. Bring back the artists, Jyl.

[@JylBonaguro]

Thank you! I am trying to bring back the artists 🙌

[@NancyBonaguro]

Truly an amazing and beautiful place. I've always had a fascination for stone and I am in awe as to what an artist can do with it. I have only met one sculptor (in southern Indiana), he made his work look so easy. The stone so smooth. The huge rock turned into beauty. Yes, I can feel your wanting to sculpt. Thank you for an exceptional film. Good luck in your future endeavors. NB Corydon, IN

[@JylBonaguro]

You are so very welcome. It is a magical place. Stone, especially marble, is such a powerful medium and for me one of the ultimate challenges as a sculptor. You have to work with the stone in order to reveal its inherent beauty.

[@robbanks5023]

Just a wonderful thing to see, this is how life should be!!!! BRAVO♥️♥️😀

[@JylBonaguro]

Grazie mille :) It's a bit of life equaling art in Pietrasanta.

[@LiquidSteve89]

Dang, I used to draw and still love art so much, but haven’t done any myself in so long because of life interfering, this has really inspired me to get back into it! Really awesome to see you pursuing your passion like this!

[@JylBonaguro]

Couldn't imagine life any other way, so glad you are inspired ☺️👍

[@janelepauw2775]

Jill is extraordinary! Everyone should tune in, if available!

[@JylBonaguro]

jane Lepauw thanks Jane!!

[@cdgarcia]

Yes! Great video so inspiring

[@JylBonaguro]

I am glad you enjoyed it!! :)

[@alwindc]

Thank you Jyl, great work!

[@JylBonaguro]

Thank you!! :) Glad you enjoyed it!

[@originalvybepromotions7269]

really interesting piece of film, i also found it very relaxing - thank you

[@JylBonaguro]

Fabulous. I am so glad :)

[@michaelmyers1092]

Wath experience im so glad for you I’m sculptor and my dream is one go to Pietrasanta god bless you and of course I love the video

[@JylBonaguro]

I am so glad! Thank you!! :)

[@whattheheckarooski]

You are amazing! Beautiful film. Loved joining in on your travels and experience in Italy. Such an adventure and all around inspirational!

[@JylBonaguro]

Thank you so much Gail! I feel like it's not just sharing my work, it's sharing the reason for my work.

[@deethomas6068]

Beautiful.

[@JylBonaguro]

Thank you!!

[@MrDjselect]

Bravo

[@JylBonaguro]

Grazie mille :)

[@redman9pablo]

Really enjoyable documentary.

[@JylBonaguro]

Glad you enjoyed it :)!!

[@peterheaton-kb9hm]

Nice video got to be a bucket lister for everyone of us stone carvers to go here

[@JylBonaguro]

It's definitely a stone carvers bucket list sort of place. I love it there :)

[@RovexHD]

When he mentions sculptures made by ‘robots’, does he mean carvers using power tools instead of manual chisels ? It would have been great seeing these robots sculpting the marble he was talking about.

[@JylBonaguro]

He means sculptures made via cnc and/or robotic milling machines

[@gabrielvasiliu]

Amazing film! I liked all the info but also how you provided the almost philosophical aspect of how traditional methods are lost to the new technologies.

[@JylBonaguro]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I am philosophical about the new technologies. They are useful for speed, but often there is a quality loss in the sculptures if only mechanical tools are used not to mention a sense of poetry.

[@gabrielvasiliu]

@@JylBonaguro I think the old ways should be preserved in everything we do. It seems to me you are doing an amazing job in achieving that. Please do not stop! Keep inspiring and influencing, we need humans like you, now more than ever.

[@JylBonaguro]

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtfulness. They help keep me inspired in my work. Best wishes

[@leonardodalongisland]

Great video-nice to see the story of Carrara. I'm currently reading, The Agony and The Ecstasy (for the second time). SO nice and refreshing to hear someone (especially in the Art World) correctly pronounce Michelangelo's name. Thank you! FYI: "Victory" was the inspiration for the Nike corporation.

[@JylBonaguro]

So glad you enjoyed the footage along with proper pronunciations! The Agony and The Ecstasy is such a great book. I should definitely reread it myself. Ciao

[@leonardodalongisland]

@@JylBonaguro I'll send you my copy!!!

[@JylBonaguro]

@@leonardodalongisland I would love that! let me know when you are finished :)

[@leonardothefabulous3490]

@@JylBonaguro I don't have steady-reading habits. I've got about 250 pages to go. I'll let you know an of course I'll need an address to send it to. BTW, the first book I ever was part of a "share" was On The Road-back in the 90's. People would read it, print their name and date read on the back inside cover and pass it along. We should do that with this....

[@leonardodalongisland]

@@JylBonaguro Ready.....

[@joshuabaughn3734]

For a mine it has great acoustics and to work on a rejected piece of marble that would take guts and Michelangelo designed his own water system that could constantly rinse the statue so the dust would be kept to a minimum. For a reject it turned out to be famous.

[@JylBonaguro]

The acoustics in the mine are incredible. It's a special place. I cannot rinse the sculpture in my studio that would require a drainage system which is currently not feasible, so I actually am in the process of grinding and recycling all the dust and remnants for marble casting. Stay tuned :)

[@MrPasafist]

Nice

[@kamandekimiti9664]

i count you lucky having set foot there as it is my plan someday too. Jyl you're a beauty creating beauty for infinity.

[@JylBonaguro]

Thank you for your kind poetic words. I am trying to create beauty for infinity. I appreciate you noticing it.

[@kamandekimiti9664]

@@JylBonaguro how to link?

[@JylBonaguro]

@@kamandekimiti9664 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX-boqBtnbh9rck

[@silviaiorio8978]

Pietrasanta è il posto dove stare

[@JylBonaguro]

veramente!! :)

[@eddiegarcia8422]

Bella

[@JylBonaguro]

Grazie Mille!! :)

[@michaelmyers1092]

Jyl how can I get the name of the supply they you get those tools thank you I really appreciate

[@JylBonaguro]

Milani chisels is what I mainly buy and this store has a decent selection shop.sculpt.com/brands/milani/

[@leonardodalongisland]

Days away from completion.....

[@JylBonaguro]

You mean with the book??? :)

[@leonardodalongisland]

That's an old message. I'm on my second book since. Yours is waiting for an address-so it can go to its new home :)

[@JylBonaguro]

sorry about that! my studio address is 4200 w Diversey Ave 17A, Chicago, IL 60639 I have a book coming out in the fall btw :) Really appreciate it! @@leonardodalongisland

[@titfortat5727]

That's the real location of minas tirith

[@JylBonaguro]

indeed ;)

[@bethgracehallmark2219]

Jyl, I need , yes need to meet you.

[@teachingandlearning140]

Hi my name ravi I am live in indian and I am work in marble murti making this is size 24x30 inch marble murti you price send me

[@KoRMaK1]

how much familial wealth do you gotta have to even think about picking this as a career path

[@JylBonaguro]

Unfortunately, I have none, just have worked hard, sold art and fundraised for my trips :)

[@350zee1]

I want a marble cobble drive way with a granite slab walk way leading to my 10'x10', 2' tall solid marble block front pad

[@JylBonaguro]

I am always happy to discuss commissions. Please view my website jylbonaguro.com/purchase-art-contact-sales/ and fill out the contact form and I will telephone or email you.

[@suhoops1620]

SHE IS EASY ON THE EYES AS WELL :-)

[@GeologicalNerd]

Creep.

[@andrewfrench2923]

If Hephaestus himself came down from Mount Olympus and crafted you a chisel your carving would still be shit

[@abbasbaradaran9225]

ok