Group 15’s assigned piece was the Normanno Column by Beverly Pepper. The video below is their response.
An Artist Statement:
Walking across campus one might not notice the extent of depth to which artists have placed in their pieces across campus. Right across from Artzen and in front of the Biology building lies the Normanno Wedge, a sculpture created by Beverly Pepper. Beverly Pepper is a prolific artist and has changed the world of sculpture since the 1960’s. After reading into Pepper, one can clearly see her commitment and the depth of thinking she goes through when creating her sculptures. Pepper utilizes industrial tools such as iron and transforms them into organic forms. Specifically, the wedge shape has been part of Pepper’s work for years specifically outdoors and in urban settings.
“Opposing forces are integral to any serious work of art, especially when using organic forms within geometric ones or vice-versa. These opposing forces give a dynamic to the work, with an internal dialogue.” – Beverly Pepper
Contemplating and creating an opinion on any art piece depends on the perspective. With this specific piece one receives a different experience depending on the angle one looks. Furthermore, in creating her pieces Pepper sees it as a conversation between the design and place. The space being occupied is part of the experience as well because of its physical and historical culture. This mindset translates into the Normanno Wedge being placed within a college setting thus an institution while being surrounded by nature. Different systems of power are at play here yet creating a strong dialogue.
“And though I am concrete and use very concrete materials, I do not intend my work to be “explainable”. Feeling is more important for me than anything formulaic.”-Beverly Pepper
Go Here For More About Beverly Pepper’s Work
Beverly Pepper’s Giant Wedge of Steel
Magazine article-http://www.beverlypepper.net/content/sculpture-magazine-article-space-living-thing , Space is a Living Thing a Conversation with Beverly Pepper by Judith Hoos Fox (Sculpture, September 2013)
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