Blog Post 21

When trying to analyze my sculpture, I was mostly just thinking “a man made from aluminum”. But when you know the title and really start to put the pieces together, it is much more than that. The sculpture I was assigned is called Story. Yes, this sculpture does look like just a man made from metal, but the real point is the actual story behind it. Hence the name Story. This sculpture is a resemblance of the maker himself, William King. As King described this piece he says, “Smoking my last cigarette and yakking away. I'm talking about giving up smoking.” This could very well be the story of his life.

The sculpture was made in 1970 when King was 45 years of age. Possibly a smoker for many upon many years, he finally decides it’s time to quit. By including a symbolic cigarette into his sculpture, views may take this as something that was very important to him. Personally, I view this piece as a memorial to a life changing event. King stopped smoking, cigarettes at least, which shows strength. Not everybody who smokes can quit easily, not saying that he did, but it is definitely something to take pride in and show off.

This sculpture has a strong sense of pathos, by it relating to many people who smoke cigarettes, or those who have in the past. I think that people who are addicted to cigarettes would have a stronger connection to this sculpture just because they might be able to understand the story a little bit better. I also find that King pays well attention to the detail in specific body parts such as legs and arms, but not the face, hands, or feet. Looking at the arms and legs of this sculpture, you can notice the curves and place of joints of the body. The hands and feet do not really show specific detail, but more like a clump. The only detail in the hands are the two fingers which are holding the cigarette being smoked. The face does not have eyes, a nose, a mouth, etc. but the face does posess ears. Which may be because he emphasizes that he is yakking away, so he would also need to be listening as well. I do find it strange that the sculpture does not have any facial features though, because this takes such a strong part in what his sculpture stands for. He mentions smoking and talking which would be using the head with the lack of features.

Works Cited

Sculpture Brochure. Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. http://www.sheldonartgallery.org/photos/graphics/sculpturebrochure.pdf

Blog Post 20

Looking at the sculpture, Story, and its surroundings of the environment it seems almost peaceful. It’s somewhere to get away and enjoy the presence of what you want to specifically hear for yourself.This spot is also nice because it is out of the way of the rest of the sculptures to provide a more personal setting. Story is obviously representing a human figure, and a man from that as well. The author gives the audience the description that the sculpture is of himself, and his last days of a smoker. I like how this piece is so simplistic, yet it really gives off a lot of feeling. You can relate to the man and almost hear his thoughts from his stance. The surrounding in which the sculpture is set, is a sort of bare place. Tucked away from the other sculptures, like it’s trying to get away.

I imagine that this specific spot is more quiet because it is out of the direct path of passing people. As an art-object, this piece could take part in a variety of aspects. I think it all really depends on the audience and their specific opinions the sculpture gives off. Being that the material chosen was aluminum, I feel that this is designed to take on a more modern aspect of life. This piece could also be looked at as a freedom of expression, or even speech. The author talks about how he is smoking his last cigarette, which takes on a type of freedom to do what one person wants. The sculpture itself is a type of expression and designed by the author’s style. King also says he is “yakking away”, which is where freedom of speech falls through.

By this sculpture being placed in such a specifically chosen spot, and on a college campus, it relates to the people who will be looking at the sculpture. College students have the freedom of choice, and they definitely like to keep that in mind. Being that this art-object represents the author, I imagine that he would be a very laid back and open-minded person. When he says “yakking away” to describe his sculpture, it gives off a sort of “who cares” vibe, and maybe that he also likes to chat a lot.

Blog Post 19

During class on Thursday, November 19, I didn’t really understand what was going on at the time. We all sat there is silence for most of the class period, and couldn’t comprehend why until we were left alone and the first video with voice appeared. This was the video of John Cage talking about silence, and how each one of his performances is different. Never the same. The performative aspect of Thursday’s class session changes the perspectives we have on a “normal” class session just by changing what the students and the teacher take part in. On any regular day, my classes consist of the students sitting in silence, for the most part, while the teacher explains the necessary materials for that specific class session. It was an interesting turn to not be spoken to, or lectured, during class but to simply just listen to the faint sounds.

This is also the type of experience I gained from examining my sculpture outside, and by myself. It was silent, except for the activity occurring in the background of others talking, walking, coughing, etc. When approaching these sculptures outside, we are obviously asked to look at them in a different way than if they were inside. For my sculpture specifically, it was made to be outside; makes more sense outside. Story, is of a man who is smoking a cigarette and casually sitting and “talking”. Because this sculpture is “smoking”, and also on campus, being outside with nature is really the only place to be. Smoking is not allowed indoors while on campus, so it appears more realistic when set out of the museum itself.

Material also plays a big part in determining if a piece should be placed outside. Story is made of purely aluminum, which does not rust and is very sturdy. When we look at sculptures outside versus inside, we see them as a part of nature. Inside sculptures are looked at to be more fragile and/or delicate, and not to be touched. Story fits outside because it is casual and taking an appearance of a man himself. Freedom to be where he wants.