Francesca Pizzurro Assignment #2

The exhibition in Haas Gallery by Travis Townsend is simply amazing. As soon as you walk into the gallery, it feels like you have stepped into another world. The pieces all fit together and are so creative that they truly stand as a strong exhibit, yet individually they shine as well. I really enjoy how the artist incorporates his sculptures with his wall hangings. The exhibit is very imaginative, like a child’s world full of abstract structures and gives a mind-boggling atmosphere of fun and life. All the works influence each other beautifully and really fit with what the artist is trying to portray. I really get the sense of time and reconstruction from this exhibit. I also get the feeling of renewal and life! In my eyes, there really isn't anything that does not work.

Of all the stupendous art work; my favorite is probably the least visible and the smallest. My favorite work of art is Gathering/ Blocked Cloud. As I walked through the room, I really was drawn to this small piece. I felt as though I was a giant in a small world, fitting into the feeling of a child's imagination, which I previously stated. I thought the piece was extremely strong through its simplicity and imagination. I really enjoyed his use of space, actually his lack of use, and how he made it that small. I actually had to crouch down to examine it, which I actually enjoyed due to the fact he made the viewer get involved with his work. He used wood and charcoal for this piece and actually drew the clouds and bird on the wall. I liked the ladder to the clouds with the abnormal bird looking down at the chairs, which seemed to be set up in almost a circle, like an audience. I also liked the use of bricks, (in most of his work actually) which gave me the feeling of a tall building, though he didn't even have to draw out the bricks as a wall. When I looked at this piece, I felt like I wanted to climb the ladder to achieve the clouds and to sit upon them with the bird. I really enjoyed the playfulness of this work of art.

The gallery in a whole definitely portrays what Travis Townsend was trying to achieve. His work is all about time and slow process. He is also obsessive compulsive with his repeated targets, military tanks, and strange birds. His structures are all reused and recycled which I enjoy greatly, but also for the fact that it gives his structures the history that he wants to show. The use of wood and certain markings are seen throughout his works, which really bring them together for a historical and modern world. I also like how he has holes to look through and art within art. It really gives the sense of playful and it helps with viewers finishing the meanings for themselves. For instance, I got from the exhibit that this was my own world, full of creative and abstract houses and obstacles like jungle gyms. I really felt like a child (though I always do) just by walking into the bright colors and abstract formations of the structures.