WP3 :: Final Draft

Author's Note

I'm usually have little interest in art objects. I appreciate them for their aesthetic value and enjoy spending time at museums browsing the collections, but I have never spent a prolonged period of time examining a single artwork before. Because of my limited experience, I initially thought that the third and final writing project (WP3) would be the most difficult. These feelings were compounded when we were randomly assigned a sculpture from the Sheldon Sculpture Garden. Although I've had class in the part of campus where the Sculpture Garden is located, I was assigned a sculpture that I didn't even know existed and had never even noticed before! In conducting research on the sculpture itself, I found little information about the artist, and even less information about the object.

This combination of variables led to my decision to accept the challenge of using my newly acquired rhetorical analysis skills to engage with my assigned art object in a more creative way. "Option 2" seemed like a good idea at first, but it proved to be more difficult than I estimated. How could I include a description of the sculpture, observations and reflection, and an analysis using the aesthetic paradigm of intensification or negativity in a personal letter format?

I began with a statement of purpose in the same manner that I had done two times before. I was certain to include specific rhetorical techniques that the composer of the art object employed and the argument that I interpreted. Through this statement, I was able to focus my interpretation of the purpose of this artwork as type of agent of change. This is supported by my observation that "When viewed through certain rhetorical lenses, we are able to determine that there is a unifying concept that all possible argument can be represented by: change is both inevitable." I paired this concept with my investigation of the art object through the aesthetic-conceptual paradigms of intensification and negativity.

The biggest obstacle that I met during the first draft was concluding this letter in a way that was natural and authentic to the genre in which I was writing. I realized that I couldn't just summarize what I was saying, and but I did need to provide some modicum of closure for myself and my audience. I decided to continue the idea of using negativity within the composition to represent meaning when I concluded with, "Even within the silence we can find music, and even within a space devoid of material we can find meaning." I connected this thought to what I interpreted to be the main argument that the art object was making about the inevitability of change.

With the help of a peer review, I explicitly developed the idea of intensification from my first draft to my second draft. In the first draft, I briefly mentioned how the colors that were wedged into the composition were "suggestive of the colors that the sun creates as it nears the horizon," but I further developed this idea to include how "these features helped to intensify [the] significance" of the sculpture. My detailed description supported this concept, and I was able to produce a more cohesive final product.

Reading the letter to my sculpture was an important part of the editing process. Reading a letter out loud exposes many grammatical errors and awkward turns of phrase. Figuring out a way to imitate my sculpture, which is non-organic and abstract, proved difficult. Eventually, I decided to wedge myself into the negative space within the composition to represent the important aspects of the art object. Overall, I really enjoyed this project. I am glad I decided to accept the more creative challenge to complete my semester-long experience in rhetorical analysis.

Second Draft

First Draft

Statement of Purpose

Final Draft

Dearest "V.W.",

I've been observing you for some time now, being careful to always keep my distance so I could continue to watch you with studied intent. I am usually awkward and unsure when it comes to art objects and I'll admit, I don't have much experience interacting with your genre of visual art. So when I found out I had been given an opportunity to meet with you, I "googled" you in order to prepare myself for our first encounter. (As an aside, I will have to commend you on your minimal web presence--it is quite an amazing accomplishment to remain "under the radar" during this digital age.) After much anticipation on my part, we formally met one sunny afternoon in late November--I'm not sure if you remember it specifically. Over the last few weeks our relationship has grown, and I now feel comfortable enough with you to share some of my observations. I also wanted to address my interpretation of the argument you've been making. Finally, I want to discuss your use of intensification and negativity. We'll think of it as a trip down memory lane...

While I've come to know you as V.W., you are titled "Variable Wedge" and call the Sculpture Garden of the Sheldon Museum of Art home. Initially, I felt that we had a connection because of our shared background; you were constructed from 1982-1983 and now reside in Nebraska, I was born in 1983 and now live in Nebraska as well. Sam Richardson, who was the artistic mastermind behind your design and creation, has a history of creating breathtaking landscape art works--both in the genres of painting and sculpture. I hope you realize that you owe a lot to him; he wisely chose to fashion you from COR-TEN steel. I consider this as a wise decision because he realized that the use of "weathering steel" would prevent you from being subjected to the sometimes severe environmental conditions. I assume sometimes you might be resentful of his decision; because you are made of a steel alloy you are incapable of eroding and this has made you cold, hard, and unchanging. You must realize that he was only trying to protect you. If you were made of weaker material your purpose would be lost, as your appearance would diminish over time. And face it--your looks are one of your best qualities. I, for one, am appreciative of Sam's carefully chosen choice of material, as well as the deliberate choices he made in your design.

One of the first things I noticed about you was your expanse. There are seven separate parts of you are aligned to make one sprawling art form, extending over fifty feet. (IMPRESSIVE!) From a distance, your arrangement is reminiscent of a sprawling mountain range, creating a tribute to Sam Richardson's landscape training. When I first saw you in person that fateful day in November I thought to myself, "It is obvious that Variable Wedge is a dead ringer for purple mountain majesties. Case closed." But what I didn't realize is that while you paid homage to nature, you also had an ulterior motive, hidden from most of your unsuspecting viewers. You had been inserted into the natural environment that surrounds you while representing a natural landform. Viewing your insertion through the lens of intensification gave me an exaggerated interpretation of your meaning. You have been wedged into the natural environment by man, creating a visual breach that serves as a permanent reminder of the delicate relationship between man and nature.

My eyes were drawn to the colored markings throughout your body. These complementary colors of orange, blue, purple, and yellow seemed to be wedged throughout the gradient of slate gray that covered your surface. Each of the ends of your seven wedges are painted with these bright, contrasting colors. The colors are also suggestive of the colors that the sun creates when it is near the horizon. These features helped to intensify your significance; as I look at your profile, I can imagine myself looking at the sunrise over a distant mountain range. Still I wondered, "What more could 'Variable Wedge' represent?" I'm sure you've heard this before, but three of your pieces are dissected by orange lines. These lines form a focal point that I found relatively difficult to interpret. As my perspective changed, so did my understanding of what these markings could represent. I found myself wondering why the lines were even included. Were my eyes drawn to this area because I was supposed to take note of something? I thought I had you all figured out, V.W., but this observation had me confused yet again.

I changed my perspective again to further investigate reasons why this single detail of the many that create you captured my interest so intently. I'm sure you have become accustomed to people's opinions of you constantly changing. After all you are titled "Variable Wedge"; your name speaks to an awareness that change is impossible to avoid. As the physical distance between us decreased, I began to sense separation, and the appearance of unity you presented from a greater distance was lost. The orange colored lines also lost their connection and it seemed that the focal point poorly masked the void that was created within you. Most of your seven pieces are aligned as links in a chain, but there seemed to be a link missing! It's not that you had been vandalized, but this "missing link" created a negative space that enhanced your meaning. The repetition created by alignment made the contrast of the negative space even more noticeable. My interpretation of the use of negativity in your composition might have everything to do with my recent viewing of 4'33", an avant-garde piece that speaks to the truth of music--that even within the void there is beauty.

The void that I had uncovered was striking because it triggered an emotional response within my very being. It is funny how the mind plays tricks on us and we want to "fill in the gap," seeing what is really not in front of us. The act of completion is within human nature. Even within the silence we can find music, and even within a space devoid of material we can find meaning. Why is it that we tend to want to see the best, even when faced with the worst? When faced with a "variable wedge"--change that is subject to create an obstacle or separation within or without--we understand the agent of change is unavoidable. The negative space acts as an agent of change, a wedge, that was inserted within your composition, just as the complementary colors accented the gray profile, and just as your synthetic form is inserted into the natural environment. Why were so many different points of insertion necessary to address these indicators of change that we all experience? With these thoughts I must leave you, dear V.W. Our time together will be cherished, and I appreciate the cognitive challenge you've presented me with.

Deepest regards,

Ayana

Student / Art Observer / Friend

WP3 :: Second Draft

Dearest "V.W.",

I've been observing you for some time now, being careful to always keep my distance so I could continue to watch you with studied intent. When I found out I had been given an opportunity to meet with you, of course I "googled" you in order to prepare myself for our first encounter. (As an aside, I will have to commend you on your minimal web presence--it is quite an amazing accomplishment to remain "under the radar" during this digital age.) After much anticipation on my part, we formally met one sunny afternoon in late November--I'm not sure if you remember it specifically. Over the last few weeks our relationship has grown, but I feel that we are at an impasse and there are some sentiments I need to air. Just as the weather has grown chilly, so have my feelings towards you. I have come to make a few observations--I am a rather observant person, you will recall--and I wanted to express what I've begun to notice about you. I also wanted to address my interpretation of the argument you've been making. Finally, I want to discuss your use of negativity. We'll think of it as a trip down memory lane...

While I've come to know you as V.W., you are titled "Variable Wedge" and call the Sculpture Garden of the Sheldon Museum of Art home. Initially, I felt that we had a connection because of our shared background; you were constructed from 1982-1983 and now reside in Nebraska, I was born in 1983 and now live in Nebraska as well. Sam Richardson, who was the artistic mastermind behind your design and creation, has a history of creating breathtaking landscape art works--both in the genres of painting and sculpture. I hope you realize that you owe a lot to him; he wisely chose to fashion you from COR-TEN steel. I consider this as a wise decision because he realized that the use of "weathering steel" would prevent you from being subjected to the sometimes severe environmental conditions. I assume sometimes you are resentful of his decision; because you are made of a steel alloy you are incapable of eroding and this has made you cold, hard, and unchanging. He was only trying to protect you. If you were made of weaker material your purpose would be lost as your appearance would diminish over time. And face it, your looks are one of your best qualities. I, for one, am appreciative of Sam's carefully chosen choice of material, as well as the deliberate choices he made in your design.

One of the first things I noticed about you was your expanse. There are many parts of you (seven, to be exact) that are aligned and unified to make one sprawling art form, extending over fifty feet. From a distance, your arrangement is reminiscent of a sprawling mountain range, creating a tribute to Sam Richardson's landscape training. When I first saw you in person that fateful day in November I thought to myself, "Well, it is obvious that Variable Wedge is a dead ringer for the purple mountain majesties of yonder. Case closed." But what I didn't realize, is that while you paid homage to nature, you also had an ulterior motive, hidden from most of your unsuspecting viewers. I knew, given time, I could unlock your true meaning, and understand your argument. This wouldn't happen until much later... But I digress.


My eyes were first drawn to the colored markings throughout your body. These complementary colors of orange and blue, and then purple and yellow seemed to be wedged throughout the gradient of slate gray that covered your surface. The edges of each of your seven wedges were painted with these bright, contrasting colors. The colors were also suggestive of the colors that the sun creates as it nears the horizon. When I looked at your profile, I could imagine myself looking at the sunrise over a distant mountain range. Still I wondered, "What more could 'Variable Wedge' represent?" I'm sure you've heard this before, but three of your pieces have orange lines that dissect your gray plane. These lines form a focal point that I found relatively difficult to interpret. As my perspective changed depending on my vantage point, so did my understanding of what these markings could represent. I found myself wondering why the lines were even included in your composition? Were my eyes drawn to this area because I was supposed to take note of something? I thought I had you all figured out, V.W., but this observation had me confused again.

I changed my perspective again to further investigate reasons why this single detail of the many that combine to create you captured my interest so. I think you have become customary to people's opinions of you changing. After all you are titled "Variable Wedge"; your name speaks to an awareness that change is impossible to avoid. As the physical distance between us decreased, I began to sense separation and the appearance of unity you presented from a greater distance was lost. The orange colored lines also lost their connection and it seemed that the focal point poorly masked the void that was created within you. Most of your seven pieces are aligned as links in a chain, but there seemed to be a link missing! It's not that you had been vandalized, but this "missing link" created a negative space that enhanced your meaning. The repetition created by alignment made the contrast of the negative space even more noticeable. My interpretation of the use of negativity in your composition might have everything to do with my recent viewing of 4'33", an avant-garde piece that speaks to the truth of music--that even within the void there is beauty.

The void that I had uncovered was striking because it triggered an emotional response. It is funny how the mind plays tricks on us and we want to "fill in the gap," seeing what is really not in front of us. The act of completion is within human nature. Even within the silence we can find music, and even within a space devoid of material we can find meaning. Why is it that we tend to want to see the best, even when faced with the worst? When faced with a "variable wedge"--change that is subject to create an obstacle or separation within or without--we understand the agent of change is necessary. The negative space acts as an agent of change, a wedge, that was inserted within your composition, just as the complementary colors accented the gray profile, and just as your synthetic form is inserted into the natural environment. Why were so many different points of insertion necessary to address the change the indicators of change that we all experience? With these thoughts I must leave you, dear V.W. Our time together will be cherished, and I appreciate the I've cognitive challenge you've presented me with.

Deepest regards,

Ayana Hayes
Student, Art Observer, Friend

WP3 :: First Draft

"V.W.",

I've been observing you for some time now, being careful to always keep my distance so I could continue to watch you with studied intent. When I found out I had been given an opportunity to meet with you, of course, I "googled" you in order to prepare myself for our meeting. (As an aside, I will have to commend you on your minimal web presence--it is quite an amazing accomplishment to remain "under the radar" during this digital age.) After much anticipation on my part, we formally met one sunny afternoon in late November--I'm not sure if you remember it specifically. Over the last few weeks our relationship has grown, but I feel that we are at an impasse and there are some sentiments I need to air. Just as the weather has grown chilly, so have my feelings towards you. I have come to make a few observations--I am a rather observant person, you will recall--and I wanted to express what I've begun to notice about you. I also wanted to address my interpretation of the argument you've been making. Finally, I want to discuss your use of negativity. We'll think of it as a trip down memory lane...

While I've come to know you as V.W., you are titled "Variable Wedge" and call the Sculpture Garden of the Sheldon Museum of Art home. Initially, I felt that we had a connection because of our shared background; you were constructed from 1982-1983 and now reside in Nebraska, I was born in 1983 and now call Nebraska home. Sam Richardson, who was the artistic mastermind behind your design and creation, has a history of creating breathtaking landscape art works--both in the genres of painting and sculpture. I hope you realize that you owe a lot to him; he wisely chose to fashion you from COR-TEN steel. I consider this as a wise decision because he realized that the use of "weathering steel" would prevent you from being subjected to the sometimes severe environmental conditions. I assume sometimes you are resentful of his decision; because you are made of one of the steel alloy you are incapable of eroding and this has made you cold, hard, and unchanging. He was only trying to protect you. If you were made of weaker material your purpose would be lost as your appearance would diminish over time. I, for one, am appreciative of Sam's carefully chosen choice of material, as well as the deliberate choices he made in your design.

One of the first things I noticed about you was your expanse. There are many parts of you (seven, to be exact) that are aligned and unified to make one sprawling art form, extending over fifty feet. From a distance, your arrangement is reminiscent of a sprawling mountain range, creating a tribute to the landscape origins of Sam Richardson. When I first saw you in person that fateful day in November I thought to myself, "Well, it is obvious that Variable Wedge is a dead ringer for the purple mountain majesties of yonder. Case closed." What I didn't realize though, is that while you paid homage to nature, you also had an ulterior motive, hidden from most of your unsuspecting viewers. I knew, given time, I could unlock your true meaning, and understand your argument. This wouldn't happen until later... But I digress.


My eyes were first drawn to the colored markings throughout your body. These complementary colors of orange and blue, and then purple and yellow seemed to be wedged throughout the gradient of slate gray that covered your surface. The edges of each of your seven wedges were painted with these bright, contrasting colors. The colors were also suggestive of the colors that the sun creates as it nears the horizon. I could imagine myself looking at the sunrise over a distant mountain range as I looked upon you. Still I wondered, "What more could 'Variable Wedge' represent?" I'm sure you've heard this before, but three of your pieces have orange lines that dissect your gray plane. These form a focal point that I found relatively difficult to interpret. As my perspective changed, depending on my vantage point, so did my view of what these markings could represent. I found myself questioning why the lines were even included in your composition. Were my eyes drawn to this area because I was to take note of something? I thought I had you all figured out, V.W., but this observation had me confused again.

I changed my perspective again to further investigate reasons that this detail, one of the many that, combined, create you, captured my interest so. I think you are used to people's opinions of you changing. Your are, of course, titled "Variable Wedge"; your name speaks of the awareness that change is impossible to avoid. As the physical distance between us decreased, I sensed a concept of separation. The unity you presented from greater distances was lost. The orange colored lines also lost their connection and it seemed that the focal point poorly masked the void that was created within you. Most of your seven pieces are aligned as links in a chain. There seemed to be a link missing! It's not that you had been vandalized, but this "missing link" created a negative space that enhanced your meaning. My interpretation of the use of negativity in your composition might have everything to do with my recent viewing of 4'33'', an avant-garde composition that speaks to truth of music--that even within the void there is beauty.

...

Sincerely,

Ayana Hayes
Student, Art Observer, Friend

WP3 :: Statement of Purpose

Change is inevitable. Kingdoms are built and then conquered. Buildings are designed, constructed, and then razed. Landforms appear, change the landscape, and then the process begins again. Over time many different agents of change contribute to what we experience and observe. These agents of change can act as catalysts that unify or separate. In viewing "Variable Wedge," a landscape sculpture by Sam Richardson, we are reminded of the complexities of change. Many University of Nebraska students, faculty, visitors, and community members unknowingly pass by this sculpture daily. Since it belongs to the Sheldon Museum of Art Sculpture Garden, it is also purposefully viewed by visitors to the art museum. This unique mixture of audience types can change from moment to moment, requiring the argument presented by the art object to be accessible to a variety of viewers. Audience members can have many different backgrounds, which requires the argument itself to be variable. When viewed through certain rhetorical lenses, we are able to determine that there is a unifying concept that all possible argument can be represented by: change is both inevitable. Sam Richardson, who had a background including landscape painting and "landscape sculptures" formed from plastics, had a dual purpose when composing this impressive art object. He was able present such a simple, timeless argument in an aesthetically pleasing way, representing both the beauty of the natural landscape and the paradigm of change. His composition is at the same time modern and timeless. In order to achieve this, there are few intricate details but many general themes used. Specifically, the art object utilizes the concept of negativity to help strengthen the argument it presents.

The naturalistic elements of this sculpture are indicative of the setting sun over a mountain range. The gray wedges bear a resemblance to a chain of peaks--individual, yet unified. Their unchanging edifice reminiscent of the majestic purple mountain majesties that appeal to many. These wedges could stand alone creating an argument responsive to the importance of the natural setting that we often take advantage of. However, viewing this art object from the stance of change unlocks new meaning. The use shape and color, specifically the warm colors wedged into the composition, allow the viewer to see the connection between man and nature while regarding the changes that occur because of this delicate relationship. This sculpture is a wedge inserted by man into nature, serving as a reminder that humans are a major agent of change. The alignment of most of the seven pieces that comprise this art object utilize the rhetorical strategy of repetition, and with repetition contrast is possible. There is definitely contrast created by the void when the pieces become unaligned. The negative space that is created by the misalignment of the wedges speaks to the concept of negativity. Why did the artist chose to leave this void within his composition? As I examined this question, the importance of what was not included in the composition of this art object became apparent. When I address this art object in an intimate letter, I will better be able to explain my observations and insights, as well as examine the art object, it's purpose, and finally argument through a rhetorical lens incorporating the concept of negativity.

WP3 :: Contextual Analysis

Oakland, California native Sam Richardson is an artist who has training and experience in landscape painting (Sheldon Sculpture Garden Brochure). When he began teaching at San Jose State University in 1964, he was introduced to plastics--"pliable, synthetic materials"--and began experimenting with the medium (Richardson). He created many of these landscape sculptures in from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. In an interview conducted for an exhibit that Richardson was featured in, he described his attraction to this genre as being "about the surface of the earth" and admitted to being attracted by form and textures (Richardson). This attraction is apparent in Richardson's landscape sculptures. The sculpture pictured above, titled "Most of That Iceberg is Below the Water," captures the still water surrounding an isolated iceberg. The glassy texture of the water surrounds the iceberg and creates an illusion of still waters. Richardson admits to not trying to make any underlying statements through his art, but that he enjoyed making a statement about the "beauty of the land." His inspiration from the beauty of nature seems to speak to the modernist approach of creating "art for art's sake" (Witcombe).

There was scant other information available online or from the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery about Richardson, but there was significant information about the medium that he chose to use for this art object. Despite Richardson's background in working with plastics in the 1960s and 1970s, he decided to use metal to create "Variable Wedge" when he completed it between 1982 and 1983. The metal he chose is COR-TEN steel, which is also known as weathering steel. This metal differs from traditional steel alloy blends because it is designed to weather in such a way that it does not deteriorate. As this material is considers often for sculptors and metal workers, I'm sure the artiste took this into account when constructing this art object. Since the title of the sculpture, "Variable Wedge" indicates a change, the artist's choice of material contradicts this notion. This component of the composition would not have been as evident had Richardson used his material of choice--plastics. We have designed plastics to be long-lasting and durable. There is no though of change when discussing plastics. In fact, we designed plastics so well, that we have to work hard to get rid of them when they have outlived their usefulness! Through this sculpture change is involved, even though it the art object itself is not the entity that is changing.

Works Cited

"EXHIBITION ITEM DETAIL: Most of That Iceberg is Below the Water." San Jose Museum of Art. Web. Accessed 1 Dec. 2009 from http://www.sjmusart.org/content/exhibitions/exhibition_infoDetail.phtml?itemID=6084&eventID=351.

Richardson, Sam. Interview by Heather Green, Curator. "De-Natured: Works from the Anderson Art Collection." Podcast. San Jose Museum of Art. Retrieved 30 Nov. 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGcxrm1tMWs.

"Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden." Brochure. Lincoln: A to Z Printing. Accessed 30 Nov. 2009 from http://sheldonartgallery.org/photos/graphics/sculpturebrochure.pdf.

Witcombe, Christopher L. C. E.. "Art for Art's Sake." Modernism. Web. Accessed 30 Nov. 2009 from http://witcombe.sbc.edu/modernism/artsake.html