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Creation Date

4-18-2014

Disciplines

Art and Design | Sculpture

Description

A message written on the collaborative burn sculpture reads:

Dearest Nils,

You were, are, and forever will be in my heart! As a jokester, mentor, teacher, friend, and high-fiver/hugger you were all of these things and so much more. I wish I could've known more about you because what I did know was wonderful. You pushed everyone to be their best. I still joke that you are sending us teachings . . . However, it's not a joke, it's true. You're an inspiration and your lessons live on.

Lots Of Love

Playhouse for Nils is the collaborative sculpture built by the Introduction to Studio class at Linfield College during the 2014 January term. On April 18, 2014, the sculpture was burned to the ground in the field west of Miller Fine Arts. The Introduction to Studio class included students Heidi Ambrose, Peggy Barrett, Danielle Bowman, Matthew Carlson, Eureka Yew Chen Foong, Gilberto Garibaldo, Nicci Hegge, Koriann Jensen, Stephanie Quang Chen Lim, Travis McKenna, Kyle Morgan, Keith Spiering, Doug Sundman, Jorden Walker, Joel Wenrich, and Kaleo Yanai.

Artists' Statement

The ""family"" began building this structure with very few expectations except for it being a tribute piece for Nils Lou. The collaborative nature of our process allowed every student to form their own unique ideas and watch them coalesce with the other ""family"" members. A major theme of the project is cyclical time, death, rebirth, the ending and beginning of a new era, and the harmonious movement of energy between nature's five elements. This is based on the belief that rather than the Phoenix's life ending at the closing of the cycle, it is merely transformed into a new and different life, and the cycle begins again. The Phoenix is often paired with the dragon and together they represent high virtue and grace, as well as balanced male-female harmony in nature. Similar to the life cycle of the Phoenix, Nils's playhouse began with a collection of small ideas and coalesced into a magnificent statement. We believe Nils would enjoy this sculpture and the abundance of playful opportunities that it provides.

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