Part 1 Sculpture: How does the scale of a sculpture affect how we respond to it?
ID: 3455012 • Letter: P
Question
Part 1 Sculpture:
How does the scale of a sculpture affect how we respond to it? Does a large sculpture seem more important than a small one?
Nonrepresentational sculpture can be controversial. Should public art be representational so everyone “gets it?”
Part 2 Architecture: "Architecture is not about math or zoning — it's about visceral emotions," says Marc Kushner. Discuss your thoughts on the Marc Kushner TEDtalk video. In what way has this video made you more aware of the architecture around you and in the world at large? In what way do you feel connected to and/or disconnected from the buildings in your life? Include examples in your response.
Explanation / Answer
Clearly size catches attention, such as the Statue of Liberty, the 4 U. S. Presidents at Black Hills, N. D., or Eiffel Tower. It is in human nature to be amazed by large structures. In my opinion, the big sculpture captures the eye of the viewer in more cases than the small sculptures do. Grander scale sculptures impact us more because the bigger they are, they seem more important. In addition, bigger sculptures also seem harder to make and for that reason we show more appreciation and respect for that. The scale of the sculpture contributes to our first impression - Whether we have to squint to take a more intricate look at a sculpture on a smaller scale or if we have to take a step back to examine a larger sculpture. Realistically, I think larger sculpture seem more important. In my opinion though, they may not be more important buy they simply appear more noticeable. I believe, whether the sculpture is large or small, it has the power to attract the viewer and grab his/her attention.A larger sculpture can seem more important if that is what the content is meant to deliver. A larger sculpture stands out more because it seems the artists took more time to make such a large scaled object. Unlike ordinary artworks, non-representational art refers to works that do not consider the reference of objects that we already know of. Here, the artist expresses his or her raw ideas without holding back to ensure that we immediately get the message.Public art is a reflection of how we see the world – the artist’s response to our time and place combined with our own sense of who we are. What distinguishes public art is the unique association of how it is made, where it is, and what it means. Public art can express community values, enhance our environment, transform a landscape, heighten our awareness, or question our assumptions. Placed in public sites, this art is there for everyone, a form of collective community expression. In a diverse society, all art cannot appeal to all people, nor should it be expected to do so. Art attracts attention; that is what it is supposed to do and not meant to be understood by everyone in the same way.Varied popular opinion is inevitable, and it is a healthy sign that the public environment is acknowledged rather than ignored. Public art is a part of our public history, part of our evolving culture and our collective memory. It reflects and reveals our society and adds meaning to our cities. As artists respond to our times, they reflect their inner vision to the outside world, and they create a chronicle of our public experience. So it doesnt really need to be representational for the public,since this art form is not saying just one particular thing but showcases a variety of cultural expressions exisiting around us which holds different meanings for different people. According to Marc Kushner in the TED conference talk, people are becoming more involved in the design of new buildings by sharing their views with architects via social media platforms. He claims in the video that nowadays, architects have been made to come up with modern designs that evoke observers’ visceral emotions. The feedback provided by people has ensured new buildings incorporate social needs and are made environment-friendly. Thanks to Kushner’s talk, I am now more appreciative of the various structures developed in my home and country. Some of the most iconic buildings in my area that I am now fond of include Ohio’s HaleHall (a refurbished building housing Office of Diversity), Knowlton School of Architecture and the Ohio Stadium.