Scepter Again?
Posted by Ryan Anderson, Megan Wallance, and Asaki Nelson
In 1966 “Scepter” was grounded on campus. He created this piece by taking old 1950’s car parts by welding them into a new form. We wanted to do the same thing by taking modern technology and trying to refresh this sculpture to show how its both interactive and to introduce this piece to the many that pass it by without acknowledgment.
Initial Reaction
Asaki’s selfie with the sculpture
In this modern society, young college students tend to have phones there hands. Asaki often uses Snapchat to send people messages, so while she was by the sculpture, she took a picture using the app.
Hugging the staff
An interactive attempt other than the original intention of holding it as a staff.
Ryan interacting with the Scepter.
Ryan is looking up at the statue acknowledging its presence and authoritarian symbolism. “I wanted to show how intimidating the sculpture can be when standing next to it” -Ryan
What Sculpture?
Students walking by.
Students walking by blissfully unaware of the Scepter. We wanted to take this to contrast our staged photo showing the same thing.
Ryan and Asaki walk past the Scepter
Students don’t acknowledge the Scepter. Asaki and Ryan demonstrate this in a staged photo in contrast to a real photo of students not noticing the sculpture.
Scepter shrouded in Noguchi’s work
While Scepter’s purpose was to be an authoritarian symbol, it’s ironically dismissed in red square by larger figures; the fountain and Skyviewing Sculpture, as well as how it blends into Fraser Hall.
Close Ups
Close up of the base, highlighting the green and rusted colors on the piece.
Asaki chose this as her favorite part of the sculpture because with her height (5’1), it was easier to look at, rather than feeling intimidated by looking up.
A close of of Ryan’s favorite part on “Scepter”
This part to the piece was the most interesting to Ryan. It shows what went into changing the old car parts into the sculpture we see today.
After Cameron Frye (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
This series of imagines is based off of a scene in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” where the characters go and visit the Art Institute of Chicago.
Series of photographs mocked after Cameron Frye’s reaction to the piece “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”. The focus was on the green triangle oddly formed through corrosion of the old car parts. The reaction given by Megan is to show the interconnections between the art and viewer.
Feelings on Scepter
Ryan shows how to interact with “Scepter”
The sculpture itself is a staff, so Ryan is showing how interactive the staff can be. Ryan is trying to push the staff unsuccessfully.
The shadow of the statue
Scepter is meant to symbolize authority.
The Plaque
There wasn’t much information found on Tibbetts but this way credit can be given to the artist. This plaque in front of Scepter is a remind to the viewer that Steven Tibbetts made this work.
Source:
Clark-Langer, Sarah. “Walking Tour with Artists.” Western Gallery. Outdoor Sculpture Collection, Western Washington University, 2006. Web. 7 Oct. 2016. <http://westerngallery.wwu.edu/pdfs/WalkingTourwithArtists.pdf>.
Clark-Langer, Sarah. Sculpture in Place. Bellingham: Western Washington University, 2002. 10-56. Print.
Research done by:
Background Research by: Ryan Anderson, Asaki Nelson & Megan Wallace
Photography Planning: Ryan Anderson & Megan Wallace
Photography: Ryan Anderson, Asaki Nelson & Megan Wallace
Photo Editing: Megan Wallace
Web Layout/Wordpress: Asaki Nelson
Website Design/Writing: Ryan Anderson, Asaki Nelson & Megan Wallace
Final Website Check: Asaki Nelson
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