Trash Becomes Experimental Art
“Remember…beautiful and meaningful things can be made from old stuff.” – Marie Weichman, Professor of Art
The photo depicts a new art installation, “Making Waves,” that was designed and developed by Olympic College’s sculpture students during spring quarter. The sculpture installation is part of a class project through Marie Weichman’s sculpture class at Olympic College.
Professor Weichman divided her sculpture students into two groups, Green and Pink Teams, and told
them the only criteria was that they had to work together collaboratively and use recycled
child-size school chairs from the former Child Care Center of the old Humanities building. The Green team has completed their first project and is now installed. The Pink team’s project is still in construction and will be available soon. The Olympic College Welding students and Facilities Services also contributed to the installation and construction of the sculpture.
“Making Waves is experimental art that reflects our watery landscape but also has a deeper message of self-discovery and pushing boundaries,” said Professor Weichman.
The sculpture is a permanent installation and is located in the courtyard of the Music/Art complex on the lower level below OC’s Art Gallery at the Bremerton campus. For more information about the sculpture, please contact Marie Weichman, Art Professor, at 360.475.7287 or email mweichman@olympic.edu.
Thank you so much for this great little blurb about our sculpture project! I was the *team leader* on the project and I must say that it was an entirely positive experience from Day One.
Marie approached us with the project guidleines and team lists and I inwardly groaned as I assessed my team. We had everyone from Running Start to a few of us *ahem* over 40 and, not knowing our team, I predicted the typical group dynamics of ego trips and frustration. Then, when we were told that we needed to work with welding and facilities to install these pieces I feared a total failure. This felt like a huge challenge all around.
My team surprised me at every turn. Every one rose to the occasion, our team functioned beautifully and professionally. The welding department enthusiastically supported our every curiosity and facilities made our project’s installation a top priority. We were never once dissuaded from our design concept by any one, at any point. All departments met our explorations with positivity and enthusiasm.
I enjoy our piece for many reason. One is that we built on a Sculpture I assignment of using repeated forms. When I look at it I see movement, maybe even a little bit of an optical illusion. It feels playful to me, but also elegant. I like that it is made of children’s chairs on a college wall. I like that the orange one is there and reminds you to look again.
Being allowed to work on this scale with a degree of permanence added a level of challenge that also made it very exciting. I am honored that the college trusted us to install this piece, really trusting the education that OC is giving us. I appreciate the groundwork that Marie obviously laid out for us proving herself to be a great collaborator with foresight and vision. And I REALLY like that the sculpture itself cost $10 (+bolts) to make. I am very proud of my team. Reese, Judith, Jocelyn, Carly and Trina.
Personally I feel this project makes me believe more in myself. It upped my game. It made me look beyond the walls of OC. I am imagining doing more public art. Looking beyond the four walls of my previous life. Finishing this project is making me take myself more seriously as an artist. This project has been the most valuable thing I have been involved in at OC. Thank you for this.
The OC art department is really awesome. I am so glad I came to OC.
~Laura Ferguson
Port Townsend
hi there, perfect post, and a very good understand! at least one for my book marks.
Love “Making Waves,” I came acrosse it today as I passed thru the art area and it was a totally unexpected splash of texture and color; it is wonderful to be surprised by public artwork; thank you.