I am posting regularly on the recent placement of the 2008-2009 ArtInPlace public sculptures along the byways of Charlottesville. Please follow me in this series as I give you a little tour...
Judging by the number of cars that whizzed by me while I took pictures of Grimesland, North Carolina sculptor Hanna Jubran's Opposing Forces, I think I can safely say this will be the most viewed sculpture in town. Located on the 250 Bypass median between McIntire and Hydraulic (across from the fire station), Opposing Forces is a totemic piece that fits in well with the beautifully landscaped stretch of highway. About this piece, Hanna says:
This sculpture is from a series of sculpture that deals with the concept of gravity and the four elements; Earth, Water, Fire and Wind in our universe on the micro to the macro level. It expresses the cycle of life, growth and opposing forces in our universe with the interplay of line, form, space and colors. These elements are seen in a variety of forms and colors as they occur in nature. They are ever changing. As Gibran Khalil Gibran said, "The mission of art is to bring out the unfamiliar to the most familiar." With this, I would like the viewer to gaze, interact and experience my sculpture.
For me, I see a depiction of the sun in the geometric and puerile colored steel structure. The sun can be either rising or setting (the opposing forces). This is particularly fitting for the east/west directional 250 Bypass. Morning and afternoon commuters on the highway are forever battling the force of the sun on the horizon. Think of that the next time you are speeding down 250 squinting under your flipped down visor as you try to get a clear view of the road through the sun's prismatic glare. That's what I call elemental forms and colors.
This is Hanna's third time as an AIP selection. He exhibited in 2006 and 2007. If Hanna continues to apply, he will always get my vote. It is important for this city to exhibit the work of this world-renowned artist. We are fortunate to have it.
Over the years, Hanna's work has been on exhibit in North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and South America. He has participated in numerous international art shows, competitions and symposiums. Currently, Hanna is a Sculpture Professor and Sculpture Area Coordinator at East Carolina University.
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