Study on analogous colors with an influence of the Aztec culture. It is based on the Goddess Coalticue who was the Goddess of life and Death. She gave birth to the sun and moon, as well as the stars. I wanted to represent the duality of the cultural belief so I chose warm and cool colors. I used prisma colors for this using a layering technique to highlight and shadow areas.

Simultaneous Contrast

                                                                               For Class

                                                                                  For Fun

Single Hue Value

Two Chromas to Neutral

The CMYK color values

Observation and Analysis of Andy Goldsworthy's sculpture "Mountain and Coast Autumn into Winter."

By analyzing Andy Goldsworthy’s sculpture on the grounds of Wichita state, I am compelled to better understand the concepts of its design. By looking at the material used, the position of the structure as well as my understanding of its purpose, I begin to value and recognize the skill involved of its configuration.

The materials that were used seem to represent the site of the art. The archway is built from lime stone, 30 blocks above the ground, all cut at an angle. Lime stone is in abundance within the area so the choice to use it to symbolize the region seems firm. There is no mortar between the stones so the angles cut were very important as to hold the arrangement together. A tree is planted under the very center of the arch. What type of tree is unknown to this observer, so it leaves the question if the selection of tree is also made to symbolize the location or holds another principle? One other contextual approach to this piece is its location and angle in which it was built.

The archway sits by the Southern entrance of the school. Even though this sculpture was created in 2004, it may indicate the old main entrance that was used at the time the school was erected. The angle at which the archway sits suggests that the artist was interested on how the light from the sun reflects on the work giving it different points of reference by what time of day. The tree in the center seems to center itself with an older tree in front of the arch while the view from underneath is lined up as if to view the driveway of the school president’s household. At this time, it is unclear if this alignment was deliberate or not. The purpose of Goldsworthy’s work, to this avid onlooker, suggests a very compelling meaning if not a warning to the students of Wichita State.

When one views the absence of mortar between the limestone as well as the young tree rapidly growing towards the center, this piece could suggest an element of future change involved within its context. The only thing holding the stones in place is the downward force of gravity upon the angles that were cut. While the tree grows ever closer to the arch it advocates the question, what will happen in the future. Will the tree wrap around the work? Will it break or will the archway fall as the tree pushes the center stone upwards? As I see this I begin to wonder if this is not an intentional move by the artist for the students to continuously question the direction of education they take. If we observe the stones as the blocks of education we follow and the tree as what’s to become in the future, the analysis of this work compels this onlooker to wonder, “Are my choices now going to hold the outcome of my expectations or will they crumble with what may lay ahead?”

By not closely examining the materials used, the location and angle of the structure, or the suggested purpose of Andy Goldsworthy’s defining research within this piece, this observer believes that its true value and interpretation would be lost and unappreciated.