Viewing Perspectives

Viewing Perspectives

Where you stand in relation to a sculpture determines what you see and how you feel about the sculpture. Some sculptures are meant to be seen up-close. Some are meant to be seen from far away.

Let’s look at how our viewing perspective affects how we see sculpture.

Examine the image of the sculpture of Portlandia, which looks down on visitors to the Portland Building in Portland, Oregon.
Imagine that you are standing under Portlandia. Describe what you would see if you looked up from under this sculpture.
How do you think it would feel to stand under this sculpture?
Now imagine that Portlandia was placed on the ground. Describe how it would look different. Would it make you feel the same as it does leaning over the roof of the building?

When the artist designed Portlandia, he wanted the sculpture to look like it was actually moving to reach down to the visitors to the Portland Building. Do you think that he was successful in showing that movement?

SOS!4Kids Homepage | Do We See the Same Way? | Shapes Around Us