Initial Reaction:

The four ramps are structured in a way that allows for an opening at the top of the sculpture and the sides so the viewers can go inside of it. The openness of the layout helps add to the encouraged interactivity of the piece. Viewers can climb onto the log ramps and view the surroundings, or stand inside and use the sculpture as a shelter. Although the form of the sculpture is open, the wood and cables holding it together give it the feeling of being strong and structurally sound, similar to the large trees of the pacific northwest that the piece was constructed after. Students lounge on the piece or settle down to work on homework on sunny days, which really implement the structure into the campus life. The piece feels timeless and loved by the campus as it functions as a center for social activity, sheltering passerby, and a quick workstation for a busy student. It’s a centerpiece for human interaction that’s intended to lift us up and bring us together as a group. From far away it looks like you’d be completely sheltered, but in fact there’s a lot of space between the separate pieces when you get closer and doesn’t offer that much shade unless you sit directly underneath one of the log ramps. It’s subtle art, in that you can pass by it everyday and just think of it as something to sit on, but you realize that someone put time and dedication into creating something designed to be interacted with.

The Artist:

The artist is Lloyd Hamroll. He was born in 1937 in San Francisco California and now currently lives in Los Angeles. Hamrol attended the University of California Los Angeles and graduated in 1963. Throughout his career as an artist he has done many publicly commissioned pieces, and in the 70’s/80’s he developed a style of architectural installations which used images and materials from the environment surrounding it, but he has now turned his focus to studio works creating fiber art and felt pieces. The basic structure and materials reflect the pacific northwest as well as make it relatable to those interacting with the sculpture. Lloyd Harold is best known for his site specific public sculptures that usually have minimalistic elements of design. Many of his sculptures are usually installed outdoors and are intended to become a permanent part of the landscape.

Our Reinterpretation:

Log ramps has been reconstructed twice since its initial installation on western’s campus in 1974. We thought to do reconstruction ourselves when coming up with ideas for a way to present this information. The initial construction of the sculpture is intended to be interacted with, but possesses little for the participant to do/work with. By layering bolts of fabrics across the ramps, draping them from the edges, and creating new dimensions to the piece, we were able to change its sense of structure. The covered ramps broke up the monotony of the douglas fir and exposed wire, giving a sense of interaction between the piece and the models. Like a day at the park, laying down a blanket to have a picnic on. Additionally, by hanging fabric from the edge of the ramps, participants were sheltered from the sun. The reinterpretation was more interactive than before but still paid homage to the period in which the log ramps were initially constructed. Given the right attire, the models could have been mistaken as students from the 70’s having a groovy afternoon in the sun.

Credit where credit is due:

Photography & Videography: Montana Siddle & Eoin Ellis

Video Editing: Haneen Alsaber & Montana Siddle

Writing & Editing: Eoin Ellis

Music credit to the Bensound collection of royalty free music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Models: The beautiful students attending Western Washington University.