Elementary Scultpure group crit, last Queer Fictions class

I was among the first third of students to speak in the group crit. The only completed piece I had (besides the three masks) was the rope one.

[errr picture will be here at some point]

It started as an exploration of the medium, the latex, which reminded me so much of skin. Actually, I was trying to do a small model for the very large sculpture I wanted to create, the one with barbed wire.

[picture]

I created one small form, then decided to make more, in varying shapes. Then they came together in my head as nailed to a line of rope. Everyone who saw me carrying the rope to the studio made some wisecrack, like: "Not gonna do anything hasty, are you?"

The rope made people think of death, which served my purposes. The bits of skin, the injuries, the organs, are attached violently (nails, safety pins) to this emblem of death. It is like a public hanging.

John called it, "The white elephant in the room." He asked me what it was about, and I said, "Violence. It was supposed to be for this installation -- "

"About rape, right?"

"Rape and sexual assault."

"Rape in what?!"

"Rape and sexual assault."

"Rape -- in -- Central Hall?!"

Good Lord the man cannot hear. Ha.

"Rape and sexual assault."

"Ohhh rape and -- I thought you were talking about something specific that happened at Skidmore."

"Well er -- no."

Someone asked me if I meant for the organic forms to go all the way to the end. No; the blank space is like a threat. There could be more. The guy I like -- forget his name, skinny in plaid with messy hair, did the whale bones, was at Little India that time -- said that maybe I should make some of the forms more recognizable as body parts. Not to the point of cheesiness, but just a bit more referencing. He called one "clearly a phallus."

It was not clearly a phallus. It was clearly a vagina! . . . but really, it can be a phallus, I don't care too much. Just 'cause you have a phallus doesn't make you immune. If it resonates more, if it affects you more to see a dick nailed to a rope, go ahead and imagine that it's a dick.

I didn't mention little things like, there's more metal in the middle to make it sag. Etc.

John said things like, "You clearly made some choices here" which made me think it was not a total flop.

Unfortunately, I'd poured out some latex before class for a (slightly smaller than planned) large sculpture, and when I came back hours later for it the filler and stuff had spilled everywhere.

Fortunately, I was pretty much out of latex anyway, and my art history paper was turned in on time.

Last Queer Fictions class ever: sad we didn't get to discuss the course as a whole more. Apparently I had a psychic moment with Hope.

I'd write more but I need to go finish my photo portfolio now. Oh finals season!