“Towers on a Menacing Sky” is a
piece painted by Allan Gorman. The image displays an electrical tower that
stands tall against a red and black sky. Gorman had painted these towers in an
angle where the viewer feels tinier and more intimidated. This painting reminds
me of Secaucus Road, a small highway that connects Secaucus and Jersey City. The
highway runs through a field with occasional trucking companies and factories
such as Goya. Also, this area is home to various electrical towers. Seeing this
painting in the Lemmerman Gallery definitely gave me some nostalgic feelings,
but also scares me. It intrigued me on how I felt nervous when I studied the picture,
even though I pass by these electrical towers every single day.
Allan
Gorman, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1947, is a visual art professional who
was known for his photorealistic pieces. Gorman had a fascination with machinery
and vehicles. In his past works, he captures the geometrical shapes of machines.
“I strive to make art that is unique to me, and interesting enough to make its
own statement” (Gorman, Allen). Gorman had several artists that influenced him
to name a few, Richard Estes, Robert Cottingham, and Wayne Thiebault. These
artists emerged in the mid-60s and early 70s in the West Coast. These artists
were known for their geometrical artworks involving machines and vehicles. Using
the inspiration from the artists, Gorman had made his artworks for the consumers
to capture the mood and aesthetic. “I ask viewers to share a journey of
discovery with me and hope they’ll become as excited and fascinated and moved
as I am about the beauty that can be found in what’s often taken for
commonplace… I use this notion to inform my choices of what to present”
(Gorman, Allen).
This
work is an example of intervention because I feel that the electrical tower plays
the antagonist in nature. Humankind has built this to benefit ourselves not
for any other species, which disrupts nature. When I would pass these
electrical towers when I ride the bus, I don’t think twice about them. After
seeing this image, I pass by these towers and think what other things that man-made
items that may destroy nature. This can serve as an activism piece because it draws
consumers to examine the image. Going back to Gorman’s statement, his goal as
an artist is to have the consumer to become fascinated and moved as he was. The
message in this piece is that Gorman wanted the consumer to share an experience
and to look closely to his work.
Deer in Moonlight is a piece printed by Edward Fausty. The
piece presents a forest area that is partly lighted by the sun. Towards the
left of the image, is a home that rests on a hill with a single deer in front
of it. I was fascinated by the quality of the image. It felt almost surreal like it was a painting. This reminds me of the northern parts of Jersey since it is mostly forests.
Edward
Fausty is a photographer and printmaker. He currently runs an art studio in Boonton, New Jersey. Fausty has a fascination for starry night skies and
captures them in his works. This work can be an example of intervention because
in this photo because the sky is not the main focus of the photo. Upon viewing
this photo, the eyes fall against the house and the deer. I think the message
conveyed in this piece can be that the house disrupts the deer’s home. Viewing
Fausty’s past works show clear night skies with bright stars. Seeing the sky
covered in this photo is unusual for his style.
https://www.thejcast.com/listings/njcu-lemmerman-gallery/
http://www.edwardfausty.com
https://issuu.com/arthabens/docs/biennial.ed.vol.i/84
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