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Welcome Payton Sculptors. Sorry for the delayed blog start this semester. I thought I'd start with a few photos, followed by some questions. Post your responses by 10/28.
Don't Walk
We have been making hand casts the past week, and now it's time to transform them into art!
The sculptures above were made by George Segal (1924-2000), an artist who pushed the potential of plaster bandages by using the full human figure as his form. But the qualities of the materials as well as the gestures and placement and context of his sculptures express more complex ideas.
Who are the people he depicts? Why do you think he chose to keep the figures all one color?What do you think Segal was trying to communicate?
75 comments:
I finally get the first comment! I tried all last year but I was always too little too late. Anyway, my two favorite pieces were the one of the dragon (who doesn't love dragons?) and the one with the hand as the knocker? With the dragon, I like the fact that it is white because normally when you see dragons pieces, they're very colorful; but with this one, it's just plain. Sometimes simpler is better.I also like the one of the man putting the letters on the movie thing.
I really like the dragon its form an detail is really impressive. And I really like that it is an eastern dragon cause there always seem to be so many western dragons. The people very interesting. I feel as though a lot of people would be doing double takes after seeing them. And they look cool as public art instillations (although the bread line might be better in the 1930s-1940's: great depression era).
I think it's interesting that the people Segal created are all doing everyday actions that most people do without thinking about, like the "Don't Walk" piece. I think Segal is encouraging people to be more aware of the environment around them and more conscious of their interactions with it, so that they do not become lusterless like his statues.
I really like the dragon (things that look really powerful, like anglerfish!, are really cool), and the fact that it's made of cups? Something along those lines. I think that making the people one color gives them a sense of uniformity, and sort of shows that even though we all might look different we go through the same things (like the bread lines) and do the same everyday actions. All in all we're not that different, we're all everyday people living through life.
The people seem to be depicted in one color as a way to sap individuality from them. For example, in Rush Hour, the commuting masses have no personality differences. The Don't Walk sign seems to have discouraged all the figures. Breadline has a similar effect, showing us characters which have been dehumanized by society. Segal seems to focus a lot on society vs. individual in his work.
I think it is very cool that Segal was able to create entire plaster-people; I struggled plastering just a hand. I've actually seen the Breadline piece in person, in DC! As others have said, Segal's pieces depict ordinary people doing ordinary things, and the plaster gives them uniformity. But I also think it's the plaster that makes them unique; it's not exactly the most conventional material to create art of.
Out of these pieces, I found "Rush Hour" to be my favorite. It is one of the few sculptures shown that are not in the original plaster white, possibly because they could be made out of a different material. But anyway, I guess I liked this one so much because I can kind of see myself in the crowd; with my trench coat, backpack, and 'mad i'm standing in the middle of this crowd waiting for the bus not in a warm car' face. So, in that sense, if you've ever waited anywhere in the city-you can relate. By keeping the color of the sculpture uniform I think he's representing the lost of identification that occurs, everyone is just trying to get somewhere, nothing else.
I really enjoyed the plaster people just chilling in the park. I love public art and it's really cool that some lady is just standing in the background of the picture, so that the plaster people could really be anybody. I like how you can see details on the people, like one of them wearing sandals. It seems like it's just an average moment frozen in time.
Who are the people he depicts?
He depicts everyday people who are going through life. Looking at the posture and poses of some they might be going through a hard time.
Why do you think he chose to keep the figures all one color?
I think he chose all one color to show solidarity and unity. If he used more than one color it might take away from the messages he's trying to convey and instead add unneeded complexity.
What do you think Segal was trying to communicate?
I think Segal was trying to communicate that no one's alone. When there are groups of figures they're generally in the same position/pose.
Segal depicts people going through the daily motions of life, whether it be lounging on a park bench, waiting at a stoplight, or slouching at a bar after a long day's work. He chooses to keep every figure one color to emphasize the idea of conformity. He is trying to say that our culture has lost its sense of individualism and character. People today are simply adding to the gray, boring, monotonous mass as they refuse to take risks and follow a life set by others. To reinforce these ideas, Segal also gives the sculptures expressionless faces.
I think that the everyday person is being shown and by making everyone the same color there is unifying factor. I think Segal wants to communicate how everyone goes through very similar patterns in life and it must be appreciated.
Segal has an interesting take on the regular person's everyday activities. All of his sculptures depict day to day events like waiting at a light or standing in line yet he manages to make those events seem even more basic by creating very plain people. He emphasizes conformity and the general lack of consideration most people in society have for the people or things surrounding them by making the people all one color and dressing the people in groups very similarly. I think that's what he was trying to convey; that people have become very much all about themselves.
I think Segal was depicting the everyday person. I think thats why he chose to keep his cultures all one color. He showed the blandness of everyday life. The simple sitting on the bench, or stopped at the "Don't Walk" sign. He really portrayed the ordinary. When I looked at his art I felt like he was really depicting the average boring every day 9-5ers. As an artist he makes a point of showing a world without creativity.
I agree with mostly everything that's been said about how he created ordinary, working class people of society. The monochromaticity of the people does show this unity amongst the crowds and the "boring" and "monotonous" aspect of these daily activities performed as a part of these people's lifestyles. Something I found interesting was how other pop artists such as Andy Warhol focused on the individuals of popular culture and depicted them in an array of vibrant colors. Segal's pieces strongly contrast this definition of pop artists and the typical art associated with those times. Though it was a booming era of movies and acting, it was also a time after the wars in which things were hard on some ordinary people. Segal's pieces actually show how life was during those times and what people were doing.
the people apeared to be just ordinary people, and the monotone color sceme helps blend them into the back round
Like others have said, I think that Segal is depicting the "average" person doing "average" daily activities. I really liked the cinema picture. I think that making the pieces simple really highlights the fact that even though something may appear simple, it may not be as simple as you think because plaster isn't the most simple or easiest thing to work with.
The people Segal depicts are regular people. People who you wait for the light to change with and sit next to on a park bench. I think he chose to keep all the figures the same color so you would be forced to pay attention to the detail ans the piece as a whole, instead of getting distracted by all kinds of crazy colors. I believe Segal was trying to communicate that while we all are unique and special, we all are human beings we all share the same genetic backbone and we can all find a way to relate to one another.
Negatwa Tewodros
The people that depict all sort of blend in with their surroundings. In that sense they are very much so installation pieces, because they wouldn't make sense elsewhere. With that on mind, all the sculptures seem very comfortable in their environments. There's no flash or pizzaz in the works, thus conveying an idea of simplicity. A view of what was a societal norm or commonplace was given light through his sculptures. I especially like the decision to have the sculptures one-toned. It makes the people blend with each other and seem less striking in their environments. When we examined some works in class, the use of color made the sculptures pop and draw attention from the surrounding environment. His decision was clearly a conscious one to continue to communicate an idea of the ordinary.
The people that Segal depicts are completely unremarkable. They are the people you wouldn't look twice at while walking down the street. They don't catch anyone's attention because they fit into society's definition of "normal." Creating the sculptures in one color, particularly white, would make any defining features- if there are any- less noticeable than they would be if they were also defined by color. Making the sculptures almost featureless contributes to the monotony of the works as a whole. I think Segal is commenting on the lack of individualism in the general public.
I think that the people are all one color to portray that they are all normal, average, people, who are doing actions that we do everyday without thinking about. I think that the artist wanted to leave the people as anonymous so that we are unable to judge them by their appearances. I think that he was trying to depict that through doing these everyday actions, we are all anonymous.
I think it's really interesting how he keeps them all one color. It seems to make everything seem really normal and just everyday. I really love the Don't Walk sculpture.
I think the people depicted by Segal are supposed to show equality or sameness. They are all the same color, wear the same clothes, around the same height, and, in each piece, do the same thing. Whether it be waiting for the Walk signal, waiting in the "Breadline" or on "Rush Hour", these people are doing the same thing at the same time. This shows that people have similar experiences in life, despite how they look or where they come from. People will always be the same when they do the same things, like crossing the street or participate in rush hour. I especially liked the "Breadline" piece because at first it looks like the men could be waiting for anything outside that door: the viewer has the freedom to imagine what they are waiting for. Then you read the title, and a narrower situation is presented, because the title tells us what is going on in the piece.
Segal uses plaster to depict not just everyday people, but everyday people in a dismal, melancholy fashion. His figures represent the people who go unnoticed but who still struggle (i.e. Breadline, Man in Bar) either alone or in groups. The monochromatic nature of Segal's work, especially when the figures are presented in groups, acts as a unifying feature that not only link the plaster molds visually but bond them in their endeavors, whether it is sitting quietly in a park or standing side-by-side with a whole host of other men.
To me, Segal's sculptures say less about lack of individuality and expression than they do about the sameness of the human condition. As people, we share the same hardships (Breadline), take the same stands (Don't Walk), and feel the same emotions (Man in Bar). And we do so even if we go unnoticed, even if we stand alone.
I think the people represent ordinary people and how life moves so fast that you don't really see anyone, you just know that there are people around you. Especially living in a big city like Chicago, when I walk to school, I am always in a rush so although sometimes I bump into people, I don't really see them (like their distinguishing qualities) I only see their outlines. That kind of ties it into why he painted them all in the same color. I think he just wanted to make them all blend it; no one really stands out except for the background. I think he was trying to tell people to stop moving so fast and pay attention to the surroundings and the people in it.
The people that Segal depicts through his sculptures are people doing everyday things. For, example sitting on a bench in the park or crossing the street. I think Segal chooses to keep the people one color to make the daily actions appear to be more average. I think Segal was trying to convey that these tasks are what many people have to go through but the purpose was for us to wonder about all the other things that go on in peoples lives.
The people are just urban people in the city. They arent interacting with each other the sculptures make a point not not look at each other or touch each other theyre all just doing their own thing, getting where they need to go doing what they need to do by themselves not paying attention to other people. The guy changing the movie titles or whatever is irrelevant to you, i think the point is that we see people all the time everywhere but we dont make a point to interact with them or know them. So you might be walking down the street together, but youre really not together. -Sela
None of the figures Segal created using plaster were interesting to me and I think that was intentional. I applaud Segal's use of plaster on entire human bodies, but he could have easily used a different material to make the people more appealing. The people have poor posture and show no emotion, almost resembling robots navigating through everyday life. The plaster unifies each piece of artwork but in a bad way.
Although Segal's sculptures depict people doing everyday tasks, if you look close enough their facial expressions and the detail of their clothing speaks volumes. My favorite is the Breadline piece. Though they are all the same color, if you look close enough again you can definitely distinguish each one of them by the expression on their faces, the way they are standing, the individual folds of their trench coats and a multitude of other details that would have easily been overlooked.
I liked the sculpture of the two women sitting on the park bench. For some reason it reminds me of mothers sitting on a bench and chatting while they watch their children play in the playground. Even though they are sculptures you can "see" movement in the women by the way they face each other and the positions of their torso and feet.
All of the sculptures that Segal has created share common characteristics but are unique in their own way. Many of the sculptures seem to be in deep thought and concentration or are in the middle of something important. The sculptures are convey repeating emotions and feelings so one color for each sculpture gives his art as a whole unity. Segal might be trying to communicate that people are to inner focused and need to take notice to all the things around them
The people that Segal depicts look very everyday; he depicts people that you may not take much notice too when you pass by them on the street or in the park. I believe that he chose to keep the figures all the same color to show similarity or uniformity. I think that Segal was trying to communicate the idea that, despite the superficial differences we have, at the end of the day, we are all the same because we are all human.
Segal depicts working class people, like going to work ("don't walk sign"), and drinking and worrying (one sitting alone at a bar in deep thought). Segal did an amazing job portraying the details of the people's faces, and monotonous tone of the plaster people. He kept all the figures one color to show how most working class people went through the same things (and maybe felt like the same person). I think Segal either came up with these ideas or acted on these ideas during the great depression and made his mark and depiction of that time through his sculpture.
He depicts everyday people and their everyday actions. By keeping them all in one color it doesn't single out one person or group of people and it allows anyone to relate to the sculpture. I believe Segal was trying to convey different things in his sculptures. I feel like the depiction in the Rush Hour piece--all of the people wearing trench coats and being the same color--shows how during rush hour in the city everyone looks and feels the same and don't stop to notice their surroundings which could be why there aren't any surroundings. The fact that both the 'walk' sign and the 'don't walk' sign in the Don't Walk piece is interesting. It seems as though he is saying one thing but contradicting it by encouraging something else. Maybe he is trying to tell people to make up their own minds and don't cross just because the light says so. I love the one with the women sitting on the bench, because I feel like they are the ones who have stopped to enjoy the day.
George Segal's casts represent ordinary people in society. Every depiction of each person has no particular expression on their faces, just a blank stare. By using one consistent color in each of he sculptures, Segal is making a statement about people around the world: we all have something in common, which is the human element. Every human being is connected on this planet by the biology of being human. Human also goes beyond being a homosapien. The word human carries a connotation that means the ability to possess emotion. However, Segal seems to juxtapose that idea with the blank stares on the sculptures. This leads to the statement that although humans possess emotion, they mask it in public, which becomes another commonality between all people.
Through his sculptures, Segal depicts regular people going through everyday actions, like sitting in a bar or waiting to cross the street. "Rush Hour" and "Don't Walk" were my favorite pieces. However, in all of his sculptures - plaster or bronze - Segal keeps all of the figures the same color so that the viewer will focus more on the details (coat creases, sullen facial expressions, etc.) and not be distracted by different colors. I feel that Segal's choice in making all of the figures the same color symbolizes equality and common ground, I think that the idea Segal is trying to convey through his artwork is that while we may be of different races or religions, we as human beings are all the same. In today's society, we are not reluctant to point out characteristics that set us apart or make us different from everyone else, and often overlook the fact that we all go through the same hardships and feel the same emotions.
I'd have to say my favorite out of these pictures is breadline. I don't know why but I was really drawn to it because it kind of had a melancholy feel to it I guess. It reminded me of the great depression when people would be waiting in line for food, and I feel like by making everyone look kind of the same in the line, and everyone the same color, it got across the point that during times of hardship like that, everyone is kind of the same, because everyone is experiencing a similar struggle. I dunno man, it just felt kind of deep. I like that one a lot.
Segal's sculptures are plain, yet contain so much insight because of their simplicity. All of the different sets of sculptures appear as just regular people doing regular tasks on regular days. Segal attempts to make these events seem even more simple by giving them expressionless faces. He is trying to portray that at this point in time, people these days just go through the boring motions of everyday life. Segal's overall purpose is to reveal that people are unwilling to be different and take risks, giving into the idea of social norms.
I can't believe he made those people out of plaster, they are so detailed.I think Segal was depicting everyday people. In my opinion I don't think he made the people all the same color to take away their individulaity but to show how alike people are. He is showing that people are alike even by doing the most common of activities, like waiting at a light, yet we all pass judgment when we are alike in many ways.
I think Segal was depicting ordinary citizens and the subtle actions we see/overlook everyday. I think he made them all one color so that none of them would be more extravagant than the other, and to emphasize that they really were just ordinary citizens. Segal may have been trying to communicate the beauty in the small, subtle things we engage in daily such as walking or waiting in line. I think he was trying to bring out the art in such ordinary things.
I think Segal's people represent people that you see everyday, but might not notice. The fact that they are all one color helps them blend in with each other - you may see a group of people, but you don't always realize that each person is an individual. I really like the detail in each piece!
Segal is taking a very simplistic route to convey the tasks that people do during a "normal" day. The fact that he makes the forms all one color and that the faces of the forms are mostly expressionless just adds to to the theme. They don't draw he attention away, but it is as if you were walking down busy streets and pass by people without taking a second glance.
For most of the sculptures i thought that Segal was depicting people and issues of everyday life. I have to admit though the dragon did throw me off. I'm assuming he kept all the figures in one color because he wanted to keep it simple. The figures stand out more and represents that they have similar characteristics. I'm not entirely sure what Segal was trying to communicate but he definitely puts emphasis on everyday life activities. Maybe he was trying to say something about how we take everyday actions for granted. I really love the first piece with the words violence and violins overlapping. I have no idea how the two words contrast, but i love it!
I think Segal's idea of putting these cast people out in the public doing everyday actions is very inspiring and makes me think about the monotony of our everday lives. The lack of color represents the lack of individuality our society has sometimes, especially in things like crossing the street or sitting on a park bench. By putting these pieces out in the open for everyone to see, he is trying to inspire everyone else to be different, and not like the characters he created. Though the characters are intriguing, they are all like eachother. Segal wants people to think and act uniquely, and to be more conscious of the people and world around them.
Segal depicts people as one carrying out the same action. He does so by placing the people into a simple, still, and quite environment and allowing them to just be present. The sculptures do not really have any life because there seems to be a lack in movement within all the pieces. They all appear to be lifeless in some sense which I think was purposeful on Segal’s part. I also think Segal was very purposeful in leaving the sculptures as one color or really left them without color because it allows for the sculpture to be in its natural form. I think that is what he did with placing these sculptures where they are and making the sculptures in general and that was to make a statement about everyday tasks and life. I can’t really point my finger to where exactly Segal was going with this but yeah he has some nice sculptures.
i actually saw "breadline" when i was in DC! i really like how the people are all one color. it separates them from trying to look real while still maintaining a high level of realism.
I think Segal is making a statement on simplicity to put it simply (; haha. The lack of color showcases his craftmanship and attention to detail. He might be making a statement on how everyday people don't always get enough recognition like big stars and political figures do, because successful people often have statues created in their likenesses.
I believe the people who he is trying to portray are commoners in daily scenarios but seem to be solemn. Most of the people in the photographs are looking towards the ground, suggesting a sad emotion. The dull one color creates unity and conformity that does not brighten ones mood but creates a dull feeling. I believe Segal is trying to say we are all alike in the sense that we follow and go through life the way we believe we should be. However, it leaves a feeling of fulfillment.
The people he depicts are sort of an every man, maybe people in the throws of hard times, as suggested by their somber expressions and downcast eyes. I believe he uses one colour to equalize them, so no one is perceived as better than the others, or worse than the others. He makes this choice with the intention of making a statement about our innate sameness as human beings: we all experience emotions and events differently, but does that mean they're different emotions and events? How much does our ability to look at things in different ways affect our "uniqueness"?
I enjoyed each of the instillation involving full human figures simply because it is very hard to capture the human image in 3 dimensions accurately in an original way. i really feel that the message Segal is trying to convey with these statues is that the poor and impoverished work hard to get jobs and that those who are less fortunate than others shouldn't be overlooked.
George Segal depicts every day people in their own element allowing them to just be present.I think he leaves them in their raw form to depict the natural form of material.i think he was tring to communicate that every day movment can be depicted as art.
The sculptures are well-made and they look realistic. My favorite sculpture is the picture of the breadline. I thought he crafted that one the best. What is the author trying to portray with the facial expressions of all the different sculptures? Interesting....
I think that Segal's sculptures are meant to portray regular human actions and interactions that are often overlooked. These are the kinds of actions that people tend not to relish, enjoy or even realize. One of my favorites is 'Don't Walk'. It kind of reminds me of the awkward human interaction you can sometimes have with people waiting on a walking light to turn white.
Who are the people he depicts? I believe Segal is depicting the typical people and mannerisms you'd find on the streets. Normal people who are just going about life.
Why do you think he chose to keep the figures all one color? I believe he did this to express the plain-ness art can be. You do not need fantastic colors and vividness to be or create art.
What do you think Segal was trying to communicate? I think he was trying to show how art can be found in anything. The way the world is or the way we see things and move about the way we do is something people overlook because of frequent usage. They way we move through life is art.
The dragon was my favorite piece because it looks so detailed yet plain, but I also enjoyed the people that Segal created because they depict regular everyday life and the details (or lack of)are the kind of details you'd notice while rushing past someone, not really seeing and paying attention to them.
The people that he creates are somewhat bleak and uniform. His sculptures have a darker tone, mostly due to the lack of color and the fact that most of his people are standing in lines, thus losing any hint of individuality. The lack of color in his other pieces like the dragon really draw attention to the form and skill of the sculpture. In all of his pieces the simplicity has a purpose and creates meaning.
I think that Segal made pieces that were the common depiction of certain activities in our daily lives. The fact that each of the commoners were the same color keeps the tone of something that seems to be the same idea or the most thought of type of person that would be in each situation.
The people that Segal depicts are everyday people doing everyday things, such as waiting as crowding during rush hour and waiting at the "don't walk" signs. I believe he chose to keep the figures all one color so that it depicted equality among everyone, and that we all have things in common, such as these poses. That's pretty much what i think he was trying to communicate.
I really like the don't walk picture. Segal, I believe is trying to show how automaton society has become, following simple commands. The people are depicted in one single color to void them of individuality
Who are the people he depicts? Why do you think he chose to keep the figures all one color?What do you think Segal was trying to communicate?
I think Segal depicts every day people in every day situations. He maybe chose to keep the figures all one color to express how mundane and boring everyday life is. Maybe he's trying to say that we need to switch it up a little bit in our life, to stray away from the routine and try something new.
i think the people his sculptures depict are ordinary people. you can see this because his figures are all placed in everyday locations and are following a typical daily routine. His sculptures are all the same color because Segal is trying to convey the idea that people get lost in the crowd and many times become invisible. Segal is trying to comment on the way the average person approaches the days tasks, in a boring dull, and uninterested way.
the people he depicts are everday people. You can see this because the figures are placed in everyday locations doing everyday tasks. they are all the same color because Segal is conveying the idea that people tend to get lost in the crowd and become invisible. he is making a comment on how people approach the everyday in a dreadful, dull, and uninterested way
the people he depicts are everday people. You can see this because the figures are placed in everyday locations doing everyday tasks. they are all the same color because Segal is conveying the idea that people tend to get lost in the crowd and become invisible. he is making a comment on how people approach the everyday in a dreadful, dull, and uninterested way
I think that George Segal's work was meant to point out how most people just kind of go through the motions of the day without truly living. He depicts all sorts of average looking people, many of which have their hands in their pockets and are not looking particularly joyful or excited. I think that he chose to keep them all one dull color to increase the monotony of their lives, bright colors would have made the sculptures look happier and more exciting. I think that the Walk/Dont Walk sculpture does the best job of demonstrating this idea because everyone is just waiting around with their hands in their pockets as life passes them by.
I found the "Dont Walk" peice really interesting because he took something so simple and turn it to a completely beautiful peice. I think Segal only used one color and paintings because he didn't want admirers to be distracted by the colors but to more as be focused on the main central meaning of the peice.
The people depicted to me feel like everday people. I feel he kept them white to keep that persecption that they can be anyone. He communicates that we are all human, through our ups and downs we are all connected.
It seemed like he captured everyday images almost. The plainess of the art work was really realistic to me because when you take public transportation everyday like I do, faces do seem to blur together after a while.
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