ADAM WALLS - ArtInPlace

During the last few weeks, a new selection of outdoor sculptures has been placed along the byways of Charlottesville, Virginia. This is the result of the very successful ArtInPlace public art program, and has become an annual tradition in this town. Since I participated as a juror in the selection process this year, I’d like to give you a little insight into what is now out there for the public's viewing pleasure. So, please follow me in this series as I give you a little tour.

During the review and selection deliberations, many of this year's AIP jurors were not exactly overwhelmed by Adam Walls' entry, Mother and Child. Despite Elizabeth Breeden's heartfelt explanation that the piece was intended to depict the relationship of mother and child especially during rain storms where the water runoff from the mother figure flows directly upon the smaller child figure, a majority of the jurors simply didn't like the two slotted spheres. I guess they were thinking, "Exactly who would be hanging out and admiring this kinetic relationship during a rainstorm." Good point. So, what was believed to be the crux of the sculpture's intent missed the mark. I, however, saw it a little differently. Specifically, Walls' Mother and Child reminded of a monumental, bronze Henri Moore sculpture I was fortunate enough to be able to climb and sit on when I was growing up. The two certainly don't look alike, but I was hoping to have a piece that could give people (especially children) a chance to touch and play with - or on. Walls' sculpture captured this potential, and the other panelists saw my point of view and joined my vote. It was a good selection.

With it now in place at the edge of Washington Park (at the corner of Preston Avenue and 10th Street NW), I couldn’t be happier with Walls' work. It is modern, well proportioned, inviting, perfectly situated for its site, and it is the only AIP piece that you can easily interact with directly (like climbing on the Moore). In addition, I particularly enjoy the geometrically reduced forms being given an anthropomorphic relationship. We feel the kinship and the pull between a mother and its miniature offspring. Walls' sculpture is a simplified structure and is easily read, but it captures all the resounding maternal emotions and tenderness… like seeing a protective lioness caring for its young cub.

Adam Walls is currently a professor at UNC Pembroke’s Department of Art. Adam's sculpture has been exhibited in numerous sculpture parks and sculpture exhibitions across the country. His current work is predominantly monumentally scaled steel fabricated forms which often reflect his interest in escapist fantasy.

Comments

[Michael Fitts]

Here is what I love about this piece. I didn't see the mother child relationship at all. When I saw this piece I, without a moments hesitation thought, "Split Shot." For those of you who don't fish, split shot are small lead weights that can be fixed on fishing to to add weight when casting a line. They come in varying sizes and look very much like this piece. We all interpret things differently according to our life experiences.

[Rob Jones]

Michael - A little signage always helps. But one's individual interpretations are usually the best. Slip shot or Mother and Child... I think it is a strong piece.
-Rob