Visual Culture Database Form ARTE 344/544 Spring 2024

Provider: Heather Thornton

VCDB #: 2

Big Idea/Subject:
Repurposed, Found Objects,
Environmentalism
Major Theme:
Racism, Societal Norms,
Conflict
Medium/ Size:
Mixed Media, Sculpture,
Textile/ 4 panels 97 x 47 x
21in.
Visual Components:
Form, Sculpture, Texture,
Variety, Scale
Category:
Fine Arts
Pop art
Pop culture
Non-art
Contemporary art
Authorship: Nick Cave
Title of work: Wall Relief, 2013.
Location of work: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Description: This piece consists of four large panels that are wrapped in beads,
small animal sculptures, threads, yarns, and even musical
instruments that represent the feeling of being trapped
underneath a structured system where one cannot be heard. Nick
Cave creates sculptures that reflect beauty on the outside, yet
there is something on the inside that has yet to evoke change in
the social issue of racism and societal views. Nick Cave’s artworks
reflect the social and societal issues of racism and how it might
feel to be discarded because of one’s race.
Interpretation: As I look at these panels, I feel a sense of mixed feelings as to what
is going on behind some of the beautiful objects that have been
found and applied to the panels. The large tuba musical
instruments are smothered in threads, yarns, and small animal
and flower sculptures, and multiple colors are seen throughout the
pieces that look like they are trying to break through to the other
side.

Use in Teaching (Lesson Due to the societal norm issues represented in the sculpture panels
Idea and medium) and the underlying objects that represent what needs to be revealed
 and changed, I would like to engage students in a found objects and
fiber arts project in which they create an instrument of their choice
using both found objects, paints, and threads or yarns that shows
how they think others see them on the outside and then how they see
themselves underneath. Students can build out their musical
instruments as sculptures and then add yarns, paint colors, and
found objects as their outside armor that represents themselves. This
project would be a way for students to engage in fiber and 3D
repurposed art-making that allows them to express themselves by
identifying how others view them and how they see themselves. By
having students think critically about their self-identity and how
others view them, they will learn to see that underneath, we are all
the same, and our armor on the outside is just a small side to our true
identity.
3-5 Guiding Questions: 1 What message was the artist trying to send by creating this
piece?
2 How does the idea of being discarded affect you? And how do
you think it affects others? How do you feel about that?
3 Why do you think the artist used a variety of objects and
mediums in the piece?
4 How do you think others see you?
5 How would you like others to see you?
Image Source (url): https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/23/arts/design/nick-cave-
exhibition-guggenheim.html