Spiczka Sculpture Installed at Rochester Art Center

[sculptorsam]

Today I had the pleasure of installing my sculpture Kubrick at the Rochester Art Center (http://www.rochesterartcenter.org/). It will be on display there for one year. The official inauguration of the Sculpture Garden area will be on May 18th to coincide with the opening of new indoor exhibitions as well.

Due to the rather unique location for the work, my little crane wouldn't do. So we had to bring in one of the Big Boys. Attached are some entertaining, and perhaps even instructive, images from the day that my wife took. The only thing I could have asked for was warmer weather - I'm not sure if the temp rose above freezing while we were there.

I couldn't be more pleased with the location of the sculpture. Just want to extend another Thank You to the whole staff of the RAC, especially Kris and Phillip who you can see giving me a hand.

[sculptorsam]

A couple more...

[evaldart]

Very nice. Congratulations. Tell us a little about that piece.

[obseq]

The color of Kubrick in the sunlight is incredible.

Well done, Sam!

(How long did it take to complete from start to finish?)

[RWJR]

looks great floating in the air. Does the megalithic upper portion have something to do with the title?

[sculptorsam]

This piece is from 2003 so my memory is a bit fuzzy on exactly how long it took, but I'd estimate a bit over 2 months to fabricate it. It started out as a small, stream-of-consciousness sketch and evolved into the work you see. I prepared a brief statement for the RAC which speaks to some broader themes I had in mind:

"The broad theme of Kubrick mirrors that of many of my sculptures: how Nature
inspires our dream of the Ideal while at the same time thwarting our pursuit
of it due to fundamental reality. The upper, steel portion of Kubrick
resembles a massive tree trunk that's been pruned and chopped in the middle
to alter it's natural form. Rising upwards, it eventually forms an
equalateral triangle at the top, mirrored in the equalateral triangles at
the base. With the three roots/legs, it's a very stable form, just as the
triangle is the strongest geometric shape. Despite the weathered, rustic
feel of the sculpture, it is constantly moving upwards in a very optimistic
sense. I get a feeling of progress, joined with an almost Neo-Platonic
sense of the Ideal. In addition, the railroad ties at the base form a
tiered step that reminds me of the Catholic church steps I used to walk
often, creating a sacred space setting the sculpture apart, and higher than,
that around it.

"But there's a fatal flaw in the sculpture - the central linked chain forms
pulling everything down. In the center of the tiered steps is a gaping
black hole (also an equalateral triangle, this time a negative). Emerging
out of the hole, or receding into it, is a unique hook inspired by an
antique boat anchor. It is the counterforce to the upwards arc of the
sculpture as a whole. This is where the title comes in. Kubrick is one of
my favorite directors. In his movies, the most rational laid plans of men
always unravel due to a fundamentally chaotic, uncontrollable reality.
With this sculpture, I tried to give physical form to that eternal struggle."

One of the nice things about the site is that you can see it from all three levels of the RAC...

[evaldart]

Love the base too. How did you cut the railroad ties? Were they soaked in the preservative? I've trashed more than one kind of saw on those things.

[sculptorsam]

They were reclaimed ties from the local hardware store. You have to pick through quite a few to get enough nice ones. I used a chainsaw - the only thing that would work, really. They dulled the chain up pretty fast. Took a couple sharpenings to get through them all.

[Merlion]

Congratulations. You have created an impressive sculpture for all levels. ;)

[fritchie]

A very complex piece, Sam. You've given us something to ponder in many ways. Congratulations, and thanks.

[jim]

Wow sam very nice work! I will be going down to St mary in winona, I think we will stop by and see this piece in person... Congrats...This should be some great advertising for you.... A lot of people from all over the world travel
to Rochester.....Your Jacobs ladder is my favorite I saw that in person. I stopped at your park one day with my son..

Jim

[Tlouis]

Like this piece very much, both forms and color. Hope you have STRONGLY attached it to the base. It would be a shame if it went missing some dark and stormy night. Any scrap yards nearby?

Lou

[sculptor]

Hi Sam

off topic
How was your experience exhibiting in Sioux Falls?---(mermaid is going there in May)

back on topic
for my taste
I'd have topped the piece by increasing the angle and bringing the sides to a point--------like an obelisk---e.g.) washington monument---
in your last photograph, my mind kept tricking my eye and i saw the point
until i enlarged the pix

'course, then it wouldn't mimic the base as well

[whisperingangel]

Hi Congratulations on the install. I will install my first and second pieces of large sculpture this May, so looking at cherry pickers and such.

Your piece is nice. The middle part between the legs helps ground the piece.
However, I would add a huge glass ball ontop of the flat part to help the energy of the piece flow upward and then back down again.
Love it though.
k

[sculptorsam]

Interesting idea with the truncated point top. As you point out, my main interest was in mimicing the triangular base and I think bringing it to a point would have detracted from that. And oddly, I think it would give a rather literal reading to the upwards flow of the sculpture.

The Sioux Falls Sculpturewalk should be right up your alley, Rod. You'll fit right in with the many bronze pieces. Well run, good people and an all-around enjoyable weekend.