Hands -- and Feet -- on Art

Although Z can concentrate as well as anyone I know, particularly when engaged in art, she also relishes movement and freedom.

During the lunch break today, the first day of "Grandparents U" at Western Washington University, Z and her brother enjoyed the view from "Stadium Piece" by Bruce Nauman. It's one of nearly 30 outdoor sculptures in the university's acclaimed collection, considered among the top ten in the United States. The brochure about the sculpture collection says that the artist "mixes up categories (inside/outside, here/there, public/private, etc.) and reopens questions which we thought were settled."

Z (on the right) joined several other "Grandparents U" students during the afternoon break exploring "Log Ramps" by Lloyd Hamrol, above. The artist "intended his participatory sculpture to evoke references to ceremonial architecture, protecting enclosures, and the natural resources of the Northwest," according to the brochure -- but for the children, it was just an interesting construction to climb.

Art is fun -- that's the most important message, in both the class and on the campus.

(Phil was the one writing about local food today -- and a certain amount of indulgence in ice cream.)

(Click here to see more of the WWU Outdoor Sculpture Collection.)