"Figuratively Speaking" The Latest Exhibition of the Sac State Sculpture Club

The Sacramento State sculpture club does not restrict its members to the medium of its title. The members of this club work in any aspect of their choosing, leading to exciting and varied exhibitions. On this small gallery floor, you will see drawings, paintings, sculptures of metal, clay, plastic, and in one case--honeycomb. 

        "Figuratively Speaking" is loosely based on the artists consideration of form, considering what makes an object recognizable, and playing with viewers expectations of that object.

Courtesy of Sacramento State University art students. Captured by the author.

This use of multi-media sculpture, as well as the manipulation of scale and perspective, has been engaged with by many contemporary artists. The Surrealists and Dada artists of the Modern era were masters at upsetting expectations of the viewer by creating an impossible and unnerving object in the realm of visceral reality.

Object (or Luncheon in Fur), by Meret Oppenheim. In 1936. Courtesy of www.npr.org.

 Contemporary artists have taken this further through the extreme use of scale and materials.

Jeff Koons, Balloon Dog (Blue), 1994–2000, mirror-polished stainless steel with a transparent coating, 121 x 143 x 45 inches. © Jeff Koons. Courtesy of http://www.saic.edu.

Janine Antoni. Pigment, beeswax, and chewed lard formed into lipstick and chocolate container. COURTESY THE ARTIST AND LUHRING AUGUSTINE, NEW YORK. PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHN BESSLER. www.ArtNews.com.

The artists of Sacramento State University have created their own effects through the manipulation of scale and materials (see the giant wire and glass insect above). As well as perspective and form, used to create illusions of movement or to emphasize aspects of the figure. Such as sexuality and self-love. 

The sculptures that play on the effect of perspective create an interesting activity for the viewer and adds to the overall playful and relaxed atmosphere of the exhibit. It's well lit and somewhat cluttered display is inviting and fun. Red strings hang from the ceiling and connect to various points around the room, drawing the viewers eye and guiding them around the many pieces, helping with the somewhat chaotic organization. 

As this was student show meant to display work done recently by Sac State Students, it makes sense that the pieces didn't all mesh into a single theme. Many pieces were assignments given to the artists that did not fit into the idea of "playing with form". In that way, the exhibition did suffer and had a lack of continuity. However, since the goal was to display student work, they did a fantastic job. 

Please leave comments on how to improve this post, I look forward to reading them.

Did you often view the student shows? How do you think they could be improved and gain more attention?