Sculpture Walk

"Sculpture and painting have the effect of teaching us manners and abolishing hurry."

                                          - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Waldgeist" created by Lee Badger

Impressions of "Waldgeist"

· nature

· phantom

· earthbound

· rooted

· growth

The subject matter of this art piece is very likable. I have always been drawn to work that includes nature. Moreover I enjoy the realism of the leaves. While this art piece in its entirety is not completely literal since a human figure is formed from a treeling, the leaves as well as the branches are molded in a way that expresses the natural movement and growth of nature. The leaves also have added detail which creates depth.

I cannot say that I dislike anything about this sculpture. I suppose if I had to absolutely choose something that I would change it would be to add more detail to the twigs and branches. I only say this because I love detail and the branches are the only place that I can see that could take on more. 

I would definitely purchase “Waldgeist”. The quality of nature draws me to the piece. While natural elements can be unruly without flawlessness, it has the aspect of untouched beauty. I feel a sense of calm while viewing this piece because it  reminds me of God’s creation of Earth.

I believe this sculpture embodies the spirit of nature. The meaning of the art is fairly obvious by the way the artist molds the leaves into a human-like form. Likewise, the name of ‘Waldgeist’ depicts the subject’s matter given that the definition of waldgeist is a woodland spirit believed by pagans to be the custodian of the forest. I also think that the art could exhibit that man is connected to nature. Man and nature are of one earth.

          This sculpture does have a strong frontal presentation since the outlines of the head and shoulders can be viewed easier. The frontal projection gives the work shape.

            The surface is enhanced by the texture of the leaves since it seems each individual leaf was created independently and then placed upon the main structure of the work. This is an abstract piece with concrete details meaning that the detailed leaves are true to life; however, the figure as a whole is of a mythological creature.

"Rapturous Arcs" created by Gregory Mendez

 Impressions of “Rapturous Arcs"         

joyful 

free

open

release

praise

I like that this sculpture entitled “Rapturous Arcs” displays freedom of joy.  I am drawn to the presentation of the human form since it is accurate by proportional standards and displays the person in a beautiful stance.  The quality that I like the most about this work is that it shows elation of the human spirit rather than suffering which is too often seen.

  This is another art piece in which I do not dislike anything.  I believe that the artist used composition, style, and theme in a perfect manner. 

  If I had the funds and was able to display it appropriately, I would purchase this art piece.  It gives me an uplifted feeling.  I think this art work is beautiful.

  I believe that this piece represents joy and is an expression of praise to God.  The woman that is represented seems to be unbound by any constraints and is overjoyed while being full of praise.  She is free from worries.  I believe that everybody wants to feel unchained and celebratory like the sculpture is modeling. 

 Any angle of this sculpture is visually interesting because it captures the human figure at every angle.  From the side, the arch of the body can be viewed as well as the ‘movement’ of the hair.  While a person may not see the form’s face from a straight-on view, the expanse of the arms and the outstretched hands can be appreciated.  From a diagonal view, the form’s head can be seen as thrown back in a carefree moment. 

       While the work is simplified by not including detail in the human figure, it could be interpreted that the use of the strands of steel to form the shape mean the interconnecting pieces of the human body or the flow of a person’s vital energy.  I believe that the style is partly of concrete representation since the form is true to that of a real person; however, overall the work is abstract since the piece doesn’t actually represent a real person.  While I usually am drawn to detail and realism in artwork, detail does not necessarily equal a realistic characteristic. 

"All in the Same Boat" created by Kyle Fokken  

Impressions of “All in the Same Boat”                    

unattractive

lackluster

industrial

dull

toy-like

The quality that I like the most about this sculpture is that the ship is off-kilter expressing the movement through water.   I think that if the ship was planted straight onto the platform, the sculpture wouldn’t have as much of an effect.  Another aspect that I like is the little white church located at the back of the ship.  The model church reminds of the church that I attended while growing-up and invokes a feeling of family. 

  This sculpture seems to include a huge industrialization aspect that I do not find attractive.   While abstract is typically not my cup of tea, this piece almost seems too literal and I do not like the large smokestack that automatically attracts the eye.  I would have rather viewed people representing the idea rather than buildings. 

  I would not purchase this sculpture because I do not find this piece appealing.  While I do agree with the concept behind the art, I would rather view something other than buildings as representation.  The buildings don’t allow for extreme detail or expression of emotion. 

  To me this sculpture represents individuals, businesses, or just America itself as all in the same predicament of life.  The ship seems to represent the earth holding the people (i.e., the buildings).  I believe that this piece represents America rather than other countries only since the buildings are more indicative of the United States.  There is no escaping the facts that all people are created the same way and all will depart.  So, whether politics, religion, or industrial issues may be argued and fought over it really doesn’t matter who wins or losses because everybody is ‘in the same boat’ and has to work together.

While this sculpture presents the objects from all angles, the strongest point of view is from a lateral position.  By viewing from the side, the majority of the buildings can be seen at once which makes it easier to understand what the artist was trying to project.  On the contrary, each angle does display a different attribute that is unique to the piece.  For example, by only viewing the sculpture from the front, the church near the back may be missed. 

            I would describe the work as primarily geometric since the art is a model of items in the world that are created from geometric shapes.  While the representation is abstract, the style is simplified.  The buildings displayed do not include much detail.