looking the 'wrong' way

I've been really intrigued lately by how certain things we do shape how we think. I've been looking at the work of Geh@rd Demetz lately (check it out if you haven't) and learning that sculpture is, as one professor explained "painting with shadow". I really really like that, coming from a lighting design background. Especially in architectural lighting (or even 3d projecti0n m@pping), you design based on the space; even though you're adding light, everything; even the shape of the light from the point that emanates from the actual fixture to the spillage shape on the ground, means something and is part of the whole (something that is not as important in film lighting unless you do a wide shot). Then, one of my other profs explained that he does most of his work with the piece in silhouette, so that he gets the gesture and basic form right (kind of like concept design in PS/digitally dun dun!). So in a way it all makes sense and it's quite interesting. It's interesting that one of my profs (I overheard) was talking about my form and getting the class to do more drawings 'in the round'. When one asked the other what was up with me, the other proudly said "oh, she's taking a sculpting class". So I'm interested in how it really does affect how you think about drawing the figure when you can (in a tangible way) feel around the clay with your hands and get a sense of the shape in the round, and how it affects your drawing. One guy who came all the way from C@rol!na and clearly loves it says that to him, it feels like the thing he is sculpting is so real to him. It's kind of eerie but true, and it's such a tangible, beautiful artform. I'm def looking to continue this year. It's really something (although one girl I know said she sucked at it and hated it and she's a fine illustrator) that you can fall into and spend a lot of time on (everyone in the lab always goes omg what time is it!? after a couple hours and we freak out because time has passed so quickly), and every day you just want to make it better.