Sculpture Center

Erik Smith's piece "Who, Among Us, Deserves Eternal Life," confronted us as we approached the entrance of the Sculpture Center. I was especially intrigued by the piece, given my fear of car crashes. 

The Sculpture Center is a non-profit art institution dedicated to "experimental and innovative developments in contemporary sculpture," or so says the institution's mission statement on the web.  

Once inside, we were given a debriefing by the head curator of the special exhibition, Tom Burr's show 

Addict

-Love. Burr's work is fairly minimal, and relies heavily on symbols and signifiers. His work evokes empty theaters and abandoned sets, discarded props. His pieces are often very geometrical, and he has the reoccuring theme of banisters and balustrades, which serve as stark dividers. 

Light Cavalry consists of a died/blackened American flag draped over rails, which are atop a piece of plywood, and a chair which was once seated on the platform, but is now tipped backwards. Red flood lights dramatize the work. It seems to represent a disillusionment with the current political situation in America.  Burr's work hinges on our preconceived notions of certain symbols. The railings become more like jailbars than railing. The flag, instead of emanating notions of freedom and independence, appears as oppressive, as a heavy, black, deadening cloak. 

At right, Burr's Black Vinyl Weill Pile

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