Initial Thoughts
For Handel, by Suvero is a vibrant, stunning piece of art on the campus of Western Washington University. Next to the Viking Union and overlooking Bellingham bay, it is unmissable. This large, bright red steel structure contributes to the scenery with its odd shape and extending limbs, and allows some interaction with the sculpture as students can walk underneath it, around it, and even climb it as well. This piece was created by Mark di Suvero as a tribute to the composer George Frideric Handel–hence the name and position near the Performing Arts building. Suvero’s love of music is portrayed in this statue, as well as his history as a construction worker. The shape of this structure can be seen as representing a musical note, as well as a figure dancing.
Personal Anecdotes
Even though this sculpture was created with music in mind, most people don’t experience the sculpture within that context. Most only see it as it is, a large, red sculpture smack-dab in front of the PAC. As one student put it:
“Confusing” – Chase M.
Others do still derive meaning from the work–even without accompaniment–like another student:
“The presence of this structure seems paradoxical; grounded but extensive, immobile but liberated. Stunning in its color and contributing to the scenery around it.”- Sydney P.
Music or no, the sculpture still holds some meaning to the student populace, as it has had a hand in shaping many unforgettable moments. One of my most vivid memories of this piece was when two people managed to climb up near the top of this sculpture and hang hammocks between the beams. They were just casually watching the sunset on top of this massive sculpture. It was objectively beautiful to see those two lounging figures silhouetted against the sunset, but also the stunt was so dangerous. I have no idea how they got down.
The Musical Perspective
In order to fully understand this sculpture we have compiled a few images accompanied by one of George Frideric Handel’s compositions.
Reflection
This structure can appear one way when observed in silence, or in accompaniment with the natural sounds of the surrounding landscape. But when observed with music, this strong steel structure can nearly be brought to life. When accompanied with a more upbeat, lively orchestra, the statue can appear more animated, and not so limited in its symbolic possibilities within the steel structure. It possesses tranquility, and feels grounded in its stature, but when perceived from different perspectives–like with an accompaniment–it can inspire new interpretations in its meaning and symbolism.
Possibly one of the most well-known pieces on campus to attending students, “For Handel” by Suvero is not only stunning, but powerful in it’s influence once the viewer has a grasp on the background and meaning behind its creation. Important to the creator, and exuding a larger than life quality, it is now a natural part of the landscape on the campus of Western Washington University.
Works Cited
- Advent Chamber Orchestra. “Entrance to the Queen of Sheba for Two Oboes, Strings, and Continuo Allegro.” 27 Sept. 2012.
- “For Handel.” For Handel | Western Gallery, westerngallery.wwu.edu/sculpture/handel.
- “Fun Facts From 1975.” Stories, 5 Sept. 2000, news.microsoft.com/2000/09/05/fun-facts-from-1975/.
- Infoplease, Infoplease, www.infoplease.com/year/1975.
- Mark Di Suvero, www.spacetimecc.com/about/.
- “1975 In Art.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Aug. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_in_art.
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