Couple On Two Benches Analysis

George Segal's piece is titled Couple on Two Benches (1985) which represents a couple on two different benches who seem to have been in an altercation, but they are still compassionate and undivided with one another. This piece of artwork was created in 1985 and the provenance is Sidney Janis Gallery, New York City. George Segal used bronze with white patina, cast iron, and aluminum to make this piece of artwork. The artwork is about 50 1/4 by 73 by 61 3/4 in. 127.6 by 185.4 by 156.9 cm ( "Couple on Two Benches." Sotheby's. Sotheby's, n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2016.). It is actually quite big and just about the size of an actual human being. Couple on Two Benches is currently being exhibited outside of The Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga,
The figure would be described as a positive shape while the ground would be the negative shape. According to Robert Berden, "space is defined and determined by shapes and forms. Positive space is where shapes and forms exist; negative space is the empty space around shapes and forms." (Berden, Robert. "Composition & the Elements of Visual Design." Photo Composition Titles. LionStudio, 20 Jan. 2004. Web. 3 Nov. 2016.). When light hits one side of the artwork, it creates a shadow behind it. The color of the man and woman are both a whitish cream color, considering the artwork has been around for about thirty-one years the color has somewhat diminished. The color of the bench is jet black. The texture of the man and woman was solid and firm. Also, it felt uneven and rough due to the crinkliness of the
They are both sitting on opposite sides of the bench. Neither of them is smiling and the woman's expression is more dreary. She actually looks quite distressed. The man is more sorrowful. I think couple love each other and are trying to get past whatever the conflict was. They are both holding onto each other, which tells you they are still attached to one another. According to Sotheby's, "Surely some private drama is being enacted between the man and woman; that they are sitting on separate benches indicates either a chance encounter or perhaps even an unexpected reconciliation. Their gazes meet tenderly, though there exists a tenuous aspect to their touch." ( "Couple on Two Benches." Sotheby's. Sotheby's, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.). This piece is actually quite mysterious in a way. There could be a number of things that are happening with the couple. Maybe they were never in an argument and she was just sad. They could have lost a family member and the man is trying to comfort her. That’s the great thing about art, it is a mystery. We the people are just trying to interpret