This semester we have been exposed to analyzing rhetorical elements of objects. We began by analyzing photographs and followed this by analyzing comic strips. For our final writing project we were selected a sculpture outside the Sheldon Art Museum and were asked to analyze it. I was assigned “Willy”. This sculpture was created out of welded steel in 1962 by sculptor Tony Smith. Unlike sculptures with
definite resemblances, “Willy” allows its audience to interpret it in a different way. With art objects that show an exact replica, a picture of an apple for example, don’t let the audience to expand their minds and enjoy the art and view it in your own way.
The context in which “Willy” is placed hints at a possible argument. It is placed outside the confines of the museum within the nature surrounding the museum. Its large size and color made me think about possible arguments that could be established through this piece of art. I tried to break down each part and aspect of this sculpture to come up with ideas. My initial observation was the geometric shapes that it consists of, however I felt that was too basic and looked also at its surroundings. I walked through it, touched it and noticed its hollow sound.
“Willy”, though a seemingly simplistic sculpture, uses the space and nature surrounding it to emphasize its aspects. Its black color and the texture of the metal allow it to reflect the colors and light that surround it. While walking around “Willy”, I noticed that even the color
of my clothes could be seen reflected on its surface. This shows how the audience, art object and the context all work together when it comes to this particular piece of art. The sculpture argues the affect that each thing in life has on the other. The weather had altered parts of “Willy” as well. With the windy weather, dirt had been blown on to its surface giving it subtle brown lines running down the sides. I addition to this, the outlook of the sculpture was constantly changing. As each minute passed, the sun moved in a different position in relation to the piece. This made the shadows cast by “Willy” become constantly altered. Each minute, day, season, and year will make this sculpture different in at least a small way. Tomorrow it could be casting shadows, winter it will be covered in snow, and in a couple more years more weathering of the metal will be noticeable.
Many of Tony Smith’s sculptures are located outside and are made to the same scale and others even larger than “Willy”. He makes his art seem larger than life and allows it to work together with the natural environment letting it change the outlook and appearance of each piece. Although the weather and its surroundings have an effect on “Willy”, the welded steel he is composed of is resistant to any rusting rain or snow may cause. This can argue that the relationship with art, time, and nature is strong.
definite resemblances, “Willy” allows its audience to interpret it in a different way. With art objects that show an exact replica, a picture of an apple for example, don’t let the audience to expand their minds and enjoy the art and view it in your own way.The context in which “Willy” is placed hints at a possible argument. It is placed outside the confines of the museum within the nature surrounding the museum. Its large size and color made me think about possible arguments that could be established through this piece of art. I tried to break down each part and aspect of this sculpture to come up with ideas. My initial observation was the geometric shapes that it consists of, however I felt that was too basic and looked also at its surroundings. I walked through it, touched it and noticed its hollow sound.
“Willy”, though a seemingly simplistic sculpture, uses the space and nature surrounding it to emphasize its aspects. Its black color and the texture of the metal allow it to reflect the colors and light that surround it. While walking around “Willy”, I noticed that even the color
of my clothes could be seen reflected on its surface. This shows how the audience, art object and the context all work together when it comes to this particular piece of art. The sculpture argues the affect that each thing in life has on the other. The weather had altered parts of “Willy” as well. With the windy weather, dirt had been blown on to its surface giving it subtle brown lines running down the sides. I addition to this, the outlook of the sculpture was constantly changing. As each minute passed, the sun moved in a different position in relation to the piece. This made the shadows cast by “Willy” become constantly altered. Each minute, day, season, and year will make this sculpture different in at least a small way. Tomorrow it could be casting shadows, winter it will be covered in snow, and in a couple more years more weathering of the metal will be noticeable.Many of Tony Smith’s sculptures are located outside and are made to the same scale and others even larger than “Willy”. He makes his art seem larger than life and allows it to work together with the natural environment letting it change the outlook and appearance of each piece. Although the weather and its surroundings have an effect on “Willy”, the welded steel he is composed of is resistant to any rusting rain or snow may cause. This can argue that the relationship with art, time, and nature is strong.
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