Matter

Sculpture

-

Calvin University Center Art Gallery

The image depicts a rectangular device with a transparent cover and blue interior, featuring a toggle switch on top and an LCD screen displaying partially visible text. It rests on a black rectangular base, with a visible cable and metal rods extending from its sides, suggesting a scientific or experimental apparatus design.

The image depicts a rectangular device with a transparent cover and blue interior, featuring a toggle switch on top and an LCD screen displaying partially visible text. It rests on a black rectangular base, with a visible cable and metal rods extending from its sides, suggesting a scientific or experimental apparatus design.

Name/Title

Matter

Entry/Object ID

2002.11.2

Type of Sculpture

Relief

Artwork Details

Medium

acrylic, aluminum, vials, fluorescent light, text

Category

Vault, Objects, Text

Made/Created

Artist

Peter Stanfield

Date made

2002

Dimensions

Height

15 in

Width

5 in

Depth

4 in

General Notes

Note

Expanded Wall Label: The box-shaped constructions that Peter Stanfield creates draw on a creative combination of art, mathematics, and physics. Stanfield obsessively overbuilds his pieces and creates accompanying texts that accentuate his interest in technology and nature. Thus his boxes use the familiar visual language of mechanical devices (switches, lights, cords, etc.) so that to viewers they look as though they should “do something.” Yet, like most technology, do they perform an essential or a practical function? In each piece he aims to find meaning in the chaos of this world, through an exploration of the essential and yet problematic relationship between humans and technology.