The work of art I choose to visit was the art piece on California State University, Northridge’s campus. This art piece was inspired by the devastation the university campus to upon on January 17, 1994. I didn’t necessarily want to see the art piece, I just happened upon it. I was walking a path I had not before, while wondering where I should go spend my break between classes. Back to my dorm to nap, or just go and relax in the Pride Center and probably fall asleep in there too. Well the Pride Center was closer, then I looked up and noticed all the green, lively trees around me. I left my head bowed, as I walked, I noticed how the morning dew stuck to the leaves as if it were a professionally taken photo; you’d find in your already given wallpapers of your cell phone. As I watched a squirrel climb around these metal rods struck into the ground, no doubt another art piece, my eyes wondered to the left.
First Thoughts: There it was… why the hell are there stairs coming out of the ground, I remember asking myself. Before I even walked up to the piece and read the plaque, I already knew what it meant. It’s quiet, nothing, but a cool breeze in the morning air and now murmured conversations had in a distance. As I noticed the cracks and missing pieces, my mind wondered. I visualized what running down falling stairs would be like. I stared for a while, I was stuck in a daze. My phone buzzing while clasped in my right hand drew me out of it. It felt as though I had been taken from reality for the moment, the outside world mattered not. Crazy, I didn’t even realize I was standing there that long.
Second Thoughts :
When I again saw the piece, however, this time through a photo I flipped right past it. I did not pause and think of what it might have felt like to either be on those stairs when the shaking began, or to see the once standing stairs after. I did not wonder, how the hell do you get to the next floor now. I just kept moving forward. It seems that when a photo is just plain outrageous or eye catching in some way, more attention is paid, but this all depends. I suppose John Berger was right, we do not give an art piece the same attention, have the same feelings, or even pay attention to an art piece as well as we would when standing in front of it face to face. This is all due to one’s perception. We already view things differently because of past experiences, and already gained knowledge. But when something is taken out of its original place as digital pictures virtually allows us to, it’s a whole other story.
The Aura :
When I first stood in front of the stairs I felt sadness and curiosity. It had a sort of drawing effect, which was unapparent when looking in a photo of them. Stairs that before would seem so strong beneath my feet as I walked up them were so easily brushed away like dust.
All and All :
This piece was created to represent what took place on January 17, 1994. A day for some that they became homeless, or financially strained. I myself can only imagine and view past images of the ordeal, considering I was born a day shy of a year later. In fact that is why I first remembered the date when I first heard of the earthquake in grade school. This just goes to show that we all may see something different when passing these unique stairs. Some may see a failed construction project, jokingly or in all seriousness. Without knowing any background information of what had happened 20 years ago in this Southern California city known as Northridge, this isn’t unlikely to be the case. Don’t be afraid to get up close with art and let it help you escape reality for a while. The aura and feeling one can get from an art piece tends to be better felt and appreciated close up and personal.
Second Thoughts :
When I again saw the piece, however, this time through a photo I flipped right past it. I did not pause and think of what it might have felt like to either be on those stairs when the shaking began, or to see the once standing stairs after. I did not wonder, how the hell do you get to the next floor now. I just kept moving forward. It seems that when a photo is just plain outrageous or eye catching in some way, more attention is paid, but this all depends. I suppose John Berger was right, we do not give an art piece the same attention, have the same feelings, or even pay attention to an art piece as well as we would when standing in front of it face to face. This is all due to one’s perception. We already view things differently because of past experiences, and already gained knowledge. But when something is taken out of its original place as digital pictures virtually allows us to, it’s a whole other story.
The Aura :
When I first stood in front of the stairs I felt sadness and curiosity. It had a sort of drawing effect, which was unapparent when looking in a photo of them. Stairs that before would seem so strong beneath my feet as I walked up them were so easily brushed away like dust.
All and All :
This piece was created to represent what took place on January 17, 1994. A day for some that they became homeless, or financially strained. I myself can only imagine and view past images of the ordeal, considering I was born a day shy of a year later. In fact that is why I first remembered the date when I first heard of the earthquake in grade school. This just goes to show that we all may see something different when passing these unique stairs. Some may see a failed construction project, jokingly or in all seriousness. Without knowing any background information of what had happened 20 years ago in this Southern California city known as Northridge, this isn’t unlikely to be the case. Don’t be afraid to get up close with art and let it help you escape reality for a while. The aura and feeling one can get from an art piece tends to be better felt and appreciated close up and personal.
By Anna Zane a currently a student at California State University, Northridge. I enjoy writing, singing and socializing.