Sculpture Center Reaction

       It was my first time attending The Sculture Center. My very first impression of the place as I walked in was curiosity. It was explained that it was small but that the artworks presented were supposed to be admiring. I didn't know what to expect as my eyes started to wonder around. I am not very familiar with museums given the fact that I don't frequent then as often as I should. But this one to me seemed to be different from the rest and I was interested at once.

       One sculpture that couldn't be missed was the "A Joia Do Orixa" by Sanford Biggers. It was the tallest sculptor there and because it was so tall and displayed in such a way, it meant it was craving for attention. Not only did it get my attention because it was so tall but because I soon realized it was a doll, and not just any doll, a voodoo doll! Things related to voodoo freak me out and this one was no different. The space given to this piece was crucial because it was placed where the viewer couldn't miss it's presence. To me the colors also played a significant role because they were bright against the open space. The place was slightly dark but not too much and so it allowed the colors to shine. I don't feel this particular sculpture would have had the same effect wanted if the space had been different. Had the sculpture been placed in a bright room with similar colors surrounding it, it wouldn't have obtained the same kind of appreciation and uniqueness as it did in the space that it had been placed.

       Although I was impressed by many of the photographs that I encountered in the narrow and dark space of the lower level I couldn't help but be captured by the videos as well. One of the videos that I witnessed and couldn't stop watching was "Dame of the World". It was a documentary of an old woman who was one of Americas first female artists. The space where this video was located was interesting. It was dark and the only light was the one escaping from the tv. You couldn't help but be compelled to know what it was about. It was a perfect space because your thoughts and your attention automatically focused on the documentary. If the screen had been placed somewhere else the effect wouldnt have been the same because there could have been other things in one small place trying to capture the viewers attention. It was just a small dark room with the big screen and nothing all.

       Another piece of art that captured my attetion was a white, worn out jacket just left hanging on the wall. It was in the basement, where it was a dark with a very narrow hallway. I couldn't believe the artists had chosen to present their art in this extremely scary enviornment. But at the same time it made sense given the type of art that was here. The front of the jacket was facing the wall and the back was the side meant to be see and read. It had words of encouragement and words that wanted to prove someone wrong. Whoever came up with the words seemed to be determined and willing to fight for what he/she belived in. I do think the jacket was placed in the right place because given the fact that it was so dark, the jacket couldn't be missed because it was white and it had a significant small amount of light shining on it. Had it been placed somewhere differently like a white room the meaning wouldn't have been the same. It did give you kind of a creepy feeling to it too though.
       Overall the sculpture center was pretty amazing. I was just very happy and relived I didnt have to witness the attractive art in the basement by myself. Most of all I was thankful the big voodoo doll hadn't been placed in that dark basement because I probably would have run back upstairs. The videos were really interesting and the photographs too. The space and place provided for these very specific pieces couldn't have been better.


Sanford Biggers
"A Joia Do Orixa
2011

Rona Yefman
"Dame of the World"
2011

Rona Yefman
"Born Fighter and Scrapper"
2011