Sculptures

“Zion” Grant Standard

The sculpture “Zion” is very interesting but also very beautiful and sophisticated at the same time.  “Zion” has an interesting shape; it is a circle but not completely round or a full circle.  There are shapes cut out from the circle which gives it more depth.  The colors are very simple but make it look elegant.  I enjoyed viewing this sculpture and am even using it as a focal point in one of my drawings. 

“Comedy/Tragedy" Dee Clements

“Comedy/Tragedy” is one of those sculptures where you have mixed feelings when observing it.  My first feeling was that it is somewhat of a creepy sculpture.  The faces are so intense and the eyes pierce right through you.  This sculpture to me expresses complete sadness which falls in with the tragedy part of the title.  I would not like to see this sculpture every day because it just puts a bad/eerie feeling inside me.  On the other hand, however, it could be taken as comical because of the faces looking like mimes which mimes are supposed to make people laugh.

“Aplomb” Luke Achterberg

“Aplomb” happens to be the sculpture I like the most.  Every time I walk by it I can’t help but stare.  The colors go so well together and really accent each other well.  The shape is quite interesting which makes the sculpture stand out even more among others.  It’s placed in such a central location which I feel is a perfect location for it to be placed.  I would most definitely display this sculpture in my home or yard because it is so eye catching and different.

Norman Rockwell's Freedom of Speech

1.      The man standing up speaking is the only one dressed in working-class clothes.  He is probably a farmer or a laborer, whereas, the other man in the room are dressed in suits and ties.  This suggests that they are business men with well-paid jobs and high salaries.  The men in suits are all turned around facing the working-class man giving him their full attention and respecting what he has to say. 

2.      The booklet bearing the title “An Annual Report of the town” suggests that these men are all present at a town meeting.  They then are most likely talking about issues within the town or how to make the town better for everyone.  They are all there to talk about the community which they live in, making the discussion an important one for all present and within the town.

3.      The man speaking seems to have bigger ears then all the rest of the men in the room which may suggest his willingness to listen to others opinion as well as others listening to his opinion.  This painting is all about freedom of speech and when someone is speaking it is other people’s job to listen.  The big ears on the speaker represent the willingness to listen and with him being the focal point of the painting Rockwell placed the big ears on the speaker.    

4.      I do not agree with critics that Rockwell’s paintings lack the depth and emotional complexity required of serious art.  I believe Freedom of Speech to be a work of art because it portrays what freedom of speech is and what it can do.  Rockwell uses his skill of painting to get his message across.  He uses facial expression to move the people viewing the painting and allow them to relate it to their own personal lives as well as the lives of others.