First initial reaction:
Our first initial reaction when looking at Lloyd Hamrol’s sculpture Log Ramps at Western Washington University Log Ramps was that of a Tipi like structure, where logs are formed to make a circle, slightly at different levels. The opening of the Sculpture reminds us of how Tipi’s have an opening. Although It does look like a Tipi the structure is used for an entirely different purpose but the three dimensional shape creating a triangle with an opening does very much resemble a Tipi. The Log ramps are angles just high enough where you can climb on them, giving us a birds eye view 8 feet above into the opening sculpture where you can see the lights below illuminating. It is a beautiful sculpture and sight that evokes references to Native American architecture, ceremony, protection, and nature.
Lloyd Hamrol’s sculpture Log Ramps at Western Washington University is constructed of distinctive natural resources of the Pacific Northwest, douglas fir and western red cedar. For myself the sculpture evokes references to Native American architecture, ceremony, protection, and nature. Log Ramps is similar to a tipi structure where logs are formed to make a circle, slightly at different levels.
Log Ramps is interactive art as it is made in such a way that the viewer is able to climb it. It is a piece that was placed into the landscape and integrates into the natural surroundings of Bellingham. It was built in 1974 I think about all the students of Western in the past who have connected with this sculpture in some way and the future students who will do the same for many years to come.
As Log Ramps reflects the natural world it is a piece that anyone for anywhere in the world can find meaning in. When I look at this sculpture it makes me see that Pacific Northwest trees are one of our most important resources that must be respected . They provide us shelter, firewood, tools, food, medicine, wildlife habitat, and so much more to the ecosystem.
The Log Ramp sculpture is connected with the environment as much as with the students of Western. Having public art on campus is valuable and there is something incredibly unique about landscape architecture on our Western Campus. Log Ramps has a special attachment to our community and it is a beautiful thing that this unique piece of work is open to everyone. It’s free, there are no tickets, people don’t have to dress up, and you can view it alone or in groups. It’s open to everyone.
A simple description of Log Ramps for someone who may have have never had the pleasure of seeing it before is that in forms an imposing pyramid out of four disconnected triangular sides made of logs. It presents the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and is open and inviting to all. It is not like typical art and feels as if it made to be claimed on and explored. It is a place where people can seek shelter and solitaire from the busy world and feel at peace in the beauty and wonder of the natural world. It is is incredibly unique piece of art and I am grateful that it’s home is on the Western Campus where it will be enjoyed by Western students and all people who choose to visit it for years to come.
How the sculpture makes us feel?
When looking at Log Ramps I feel a sense of calm and find it to be a place where I can ground myself and relax. This is a special place on campus where one could ground and clear their energy fields. I would enjoy to simply sit here and lay in the grass and connect energetically to the earth. When I am here I feel more authentically in my body, in the present moment, and receiving nourishing energy.
The artist: Lloyd Hamrol
Lloyd Hamrol
Other Work:
Rock Creek Project, 1980 Washington DC
Highground, 1980 School of Law, UNM, Albuquerque
Gyrostack, 1979 the Regrade Park, Seattle, WA
Disappearing Environment 2, 1968 Century City, Los Angeles (with Judy Chicago and Eric Orr)
Lloyd Hamrol was born in San Francisco, California in 1837 and he currently live in Los Angeles, California. He attended graduate school at UCLA and after he graduated he went straight into Minimalism. In the time of Jack Kennedy’s assassination and feminist movements his philosophical outlook was impacted. During the 70s and 80s, Hamrol focused on architecturally defined pieces that are made with materials that are native to the permanent landscape of where the piece will sit. His work is said to be architecture that has the capacity for shelter and intimacy which engages the viewer to touch it and that is essential to “complete the work.”
History and Research:
Hamrol focused on architecturally defined pieces that are made with materials that are native to the permanent landscape of where the piece will sit. According to the Western Gallery, he created this sculpture for visitors to participate with it as much as they do today. He intended this sculpture to integrate the landscape of Bellingham, i.e. the trees and architecture. During the 1970s downtown Fairhaven was crumbling due to the creation of I5. People avoided the area because they didn’t feel safe. There were abandoned buildings and vacant lots lining the streets. By the 1970s people across the country began to come around to the same way of thinking; even developers began to see how important it was to rescue and reuse old buildings. During the 1970s environmentalism, women’s liberation and bold fads were some of its main characteristics. Environmentalism was one of the influences when Hamrol created this sculpture. Hamrol used materials from the Northwest to create the Log Ramps. Most of the fashion, pop culture and art that happened in the 1960’s was made crazier during the 1970s. There were many changes in music; introducing music from David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. The 1970’s was as bright as it was dark. Nixon was impeached, the US government was in shambles, and there was a war between India and Pakistan.
The Log Ramps were built by Lloyd Hamrol in 1974 on Western Washington Campus but it had to be reconstructed in 1983 because it switched locations on campus and again in 1995 because of the wear and tear over the years. The way it was designed it seems to take a tipi type of form slanted just enough that students, staff, or visitors can climb up, sit and relax. The ramps were made with Douglas fir and Western Red Cedar 8.6’h x 40’w. Anchored by concrete caissons and cables.
His work intended to evoke references to ceremonial architecture, protecting enclosures and natural resources of the northwest. His structure emits a peaceful energy.
Other works that Lloyd was known for:
- Uptown rocker made in 1986 painted steel located in los angeles
- Roxhole is made is 1979 mortared stone also located in los angeles
- Gyrojack 1979 the regrade park, seattle, WA cast concrete
Video of Log ramp:
Created by:
Anna Denney
Zoe Gilky
Julia Soneriu
Credit:
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/441704675948932961/
http://www.lloydhamrol.com/sitedworks?lightbox=image_7sn
Video made from Imovie app
Music by: childish gambino, Me and Your Mama
http://www.lloydhamrol.com/
http://www.lloydhamrol.com/about
http://www.lloydhamrol.com/installations
https://westerngallery.wwu.edu/sculpture/log-ramps
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