Reflection...

Written reflection on the following websites:

Martin Puryear  

 http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2007/martinpuryear/ 

Kendal Buster

 http://www.kendallbuster.com/about.html

Martin Puryear’s work primarily consists of freestanding sculpture, which viewers are meant to experience in the round. To me his work feels simultaneously minimalistic yet complex. Though they are somewhat simple objects, viewers can read a lot into them. There is a sense of weightlessness that follows when viewing his work. The sculptures seem almost to be floating, in a sort of impossible gravity-free condition. This dream-like quality also comes from the thinness of some of the pieces. Objects you can see through imply weightlessness, and an airy, light quality. There are a lot of tall and slender shapes, like the ladder piece, that emphasize height. To me they are reminiscent of positive inspiration and seem to hint at a future. He uses a lot of wood in his pieces, many of which are smooth and rounded shapes, with soft curves. His collection as a whole gives me an impression of the impossible, a sort of dream state. Many of the sculptures feel to me like they should reasonably tumble over, according to the laws of nature, but somehow are still standing there, mysteriously balanced.  Their asymmetrical and disproportionately balanced weight seems like something one might dream up yet could never be realized in the real world. 

Kendall Buster achieves the effect of weightlessness in her work. Her pieces are delicate despite the fact that they are quite large and probably very heavy. Yet, contrary to the weight of the materials they are composed of, they somehow appear to be floating effortlessly. The pieces, which are primarily hanging sculpture, are visually interesting from every angle. They have a calming, peaceful effect on the viewer and possess a sense of harmony because they are balanced. They have soft, curvy lines that make them feel light. Even though many of the structures are quite large, they appear to float—and it feels right. Somehow the sculptures feel safe to me in their hanging position. In one of the pieces titled Parabiosis, there are pictures of two strong men hanging up the work with big chains, proving how truly massive the work is despite the effect one gets when viewing the work.

Much of her work is quite large and transforms the space they are placed in. Because the sculptures are so big, they involve the viewer and allow them to actively participate in the work. When people view the work, they become a part of it—creating a mini landscape. It is easy for me to imagine myself walking through one of her sculptures. The large-scale pieces envelop the viewer and transport them into a new imaginary world. Overall, her work feels calming to me, even in her bold use of color in some of the larger works, which isn’t overwhelming, but rather comforting and relaxing. Her sculpture feels ethereal to me, reminiscent of linen hanging outside to dry, billowing in the breeze.