Preview
Creation Date
1-2014
Disciplines
Art and Design | Sculpture
Description
This sculpture was created as part of the Linfield College course Introduction to Studio, taught by Totem Shriver. In honor of Linfield professor and artist Nils Lou, who passed away in December 2013, this year's sculptures respond to the prompt of "a dream house for Nils."
Artist's Statement
When we were assigned "Dream House For Nils," we thought to create something oceanic because it symbolizes freedom and adventure, two characteristics Nils embodied. This was our goal, to create a vessel that embodied Nils and his spirit. We thought of the Vikings and their culture, where when someone passes on, they send them off in a boat complete with amenities for the next life. This is what we thought of with our boat, a transportation vessel to his new, next adventurous world. We added details to his boat we thought he would enjoy and would be able to utilize in his next life. These details include a few lawn chairs, a captain's wheel to steer, rum to drink, a cigar to smoke, and a lower deck for shelter. As you can see, the back end of our boat has been left unfinished. We did this symbolically to show how Nils lived a full, but unfinished life. This is why the back of our boat is incomplete, to show what he left unfinished in this world. We hope Nils's journey to the next world brings him happiness and adventure. Those of us still in this life are all sad he will be making this journey without us, but know he will continue to live through us. Whether it be through art, humor, or his favorite, play, we know he will be looking over us, always. Rest in peace Nils, you will be missed but you will never be forgotten.
Related Resource
Recommended Citation
Bowman, Danielle; Hegge, Nikki; Yanai, Kaleo; and Walker, Jorden, "The Unfinished Journey (View 2)" (2014). Introduction to Studio Toothpick Sculptures. Image. Submission 40.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/avcstud_toothpick/40
Keywords
toothpicks, sculpture
Comments
Photograph courtesy of Kathleen Spring.