Once the space and materials are acquired, the artist can spend as long as desired in the room creating only with their hands.  The idea of what the piece looks like does not need to be freed from your mind; in fact, it can help with the final results if you are interested in seeing them.  Pieces can be destroyed in the dark and never seen, if desired, which is called Pure Darkness Sculpture.  The effect of Pure Darkness Sculpture is often a freeing of the mind from dependence on the visual senses to create a piece.  It is also a good way to become comfortable with the materials being used in the process. 

On the other hand, a Non-Pure Darkness Sculpture could be produced.  In this case, the artist has a strong desire to see what they have created before it is destroyed.  The result of these experiments can be surprising and may often lead to further refining in the light.  Ultimately, a Non-Pure Darkness Sculpture may become finalized to the point of being presentable as a piece of visual art.  In this case, it ceases to be a Darkness Sculpture and simply becomes a sculpture created through the Darkness Method.  This is because the process of creating Darkness Sculptures is the art itself.  The act of destroying a piece of creation that is never seen or that is seen only by the artist is as much a part of the Darkness Sculpture process as the creation itself.  The end result of this type of art is not a visual creation but a kinesthetic one akin to dancing alone.

The process of Darkness Sculpture was developed (as far as I know) by me, Kamala Shanti Rose Fitch in my Colorado Springs apartment in the year 2002.  It was not a new concept of course, but it was based on the surrealist practices of drawing in darkness and automatic writings.  However, I feel that the process of sculpture is better suited to an automatic process than is writing, as it is possible to clear the mind of ideas while the hands are still creating nonsensical shapes.  Also I feel that since sculpture is more physical than drawing, it can leave the artist with a more intense feeling and it helps give a sense of accomplishment since the act of destroying the artwork does not discount the creation of it - sculpture can be experienced by a sense other than the visual.  I believe that sculpture is a process that must be both felt and seen, and through Darkness Sculpture it can also be experienced.  Through the process, the artist can be their own audience because there is no pressure to feel that it must be accepted by others, or even by oneself, especially when a Pure Darkness Sculpture is created.

I encourage all sculptors to try Darkness Sculpture with the material of their choice at least once or twice in their time as artists.  However, this process is not only for professional artists but all people who wish to create something unique for themselves and within themselves.  It can be used as a form of meditation or alone time, or simply a fun, different way to relax with your own thoughts.  Pass this website onto your friends if you think they need a stress relief exercise or if they are afraid of being ridiculed, it's a great way to free your ego from the pressures of yourself.