Korean War Memorial Analysis

I’ll be analyzing, interpreting, and judging a work of art made in 1992. This memorial is along the banks of the Ohio River, which it captures the tragedy and fatigue of those who fought in the war. This memorial is dedicated to the military who served in the Korea War. This art piece was made by Steve Shields, the name of his art piece is The Korean War Memorial.
Harmony is created in this piece by the pattern on the pants and shirts of the soldiers. The pattern on their clothing has a repetition and the pattern repeats on each of the soldiers clothing the same. The pattern does not change nor does the direction of the pattern.
Variety is created in this piece by having the wounded solider be with no weapon and as well no helmet. With having
the wounded solider with no weapon, it adds interest to him specifically. Variety is also expressed on the contrast of their clothing by having some areas darker than others, with having contrast it develops the sense that they have been there for a while.
Balance is created in this piece by having a proper amount of men, it can be easily split into two part.
Another way of using balancing is the use of the gun, there are only two guns. The guns are opposite from each other which gives the art piece a very symmetrical look. Another way that this piece is well balance is the use of the army hats, also shown on opposite side. The two soldiers on the ends are very alike each other and gives the art work a very balance touch.
Dominance is created in this piece by having the focal point of the art piece be on the wounded solider. With having a wounded solider it makes people have sympathy and sorrow. The artist shows that by having the wounded soldier be helped by the other two soldiers.
Movement is created in this piece by the cresses on the pants and shirts. With the cresses, it gives it a sense that the soldiers are walking. And that the air/ breeze is making the cresses on the paints and shirts. Another piece that represents movement in this piece is the way one of the soldiers is prompt on the rock, giving it a sense of moving and
walking.
Economy is created in this piece by having the openness of the soldier and the wounded soldier. With the openings, it could indicate that in a way he is still fighting the war is looking out for his comrades. Another piece that economy is created in this piece is the closeness with the other soldier and the wounded. Having the closeness in between each other could indicate the amount of care each comrade have for each other and how they protect each other.
Proportion is found in this piece because of the size of the soldiers. The portions of the size of the soldiers are not proportional to real size human. The sculpture of each soldier is much larger than human size.
The work of art is in large scale for when we look at the piece we see it and glorify it. With the art piece being in large scale to remember that day when all these soldiers fought in the Korean War. The way Steve had chosen to have two comrades carrying a wounded comrade could have been interpreted by having warriors/ heroes that fought in the war. The artist may have used scrap copper for the art piece won’t get damaged from natural disasters; rain, snow, sleet, etc. With the use of wire, I believe Steve used it to have the statue stand up in a way the he wanted to and then covering the wire with the scrap copper. I believe that he must have melted the copper which he did a very well job at melting the copper and forming it into the way he wanted and give the piece a very clean finishing touch. Also by keeping the copper as its natural color, it gives the statue a more of an emotional sense. It shows the sadness of what these soldiers went through and in a way, it tells a story of what these soldiers went through. The use of the rock as a foot step it shows power and strength. In a way, it gives people a sense that the war not only broke them but also empower them and strength them to make it through the war.
Overall the art piece is lovely.
I like the use of scrap coper, how he uses scrap copper to make such a work of art. The texture that was created is very realistic, especially with the pants’ cresses. I feel like Steve could have imported on the facial features but I think that must do with length of being out in the open and damaged from mother nature. The pedestal I think takes a little less focus on the statue it becomes a small distraction but I understand if Steve’s attention was to distract his audience to read the information that is displayed. And the way its position to the surrounding of the art piece, to even the location of the art piece, it all goes very well everything connects. With having the piece being out in the open and have a rotational point of view I could point out what the most effective part of the piece is the wounded soldier. I feel like he was the most effective because in a way I could see his pain and see the journey in which he went through, through his eyes, posture, and clothing. I do believe what could be improved would be if the wound on the wounded soldier was visible, if it was visible I could not only see the tragedy he went through but also feel his pain. This work of art is compared to others by showing emotion and pain. This sculpture is to represent a historian event and I feel that all work of art comes down to a historian event that has happen to either the artist or worldwide historian event; tourist attack,
etc...