80 x 40 x 10 Inches
Oil on Canvas Over Sculpted Foam and Metals
2003
Magdalena my daughter is a serious competitive swimmer/triathlete and I, a former trackman. The pose described in “Set Position” is that moment before the gun goes off and the stopwatch begins. It is a moment of extreme reality when body and will are motionlessly tensed in absolute anticipation. This work is a bas relief of sculpted, hard foam wrapped in canvas , primed then painted in oil. Simple forms seem to speak well for themselves. These would suggest the space soon to be left behind . The pieces forming a hill at the bottom of the work apparently supporting the three metal shapes of gold, silver and bronze (first second and third)are negative shapes selected from the studio floor remaining after sculpting the figure. The gold metal (actually polished brass )is slightly lower than the other two acknowledging the victor, a deference toward the fellow racer. The metal is fairly heavy gauge wrapped around wood armature, polished aluminum , bronze and brass. Each treated with acid and sealant to cease any oxidation. The visual impression from witch the pose is derived was etched in my minds eye after witnessing hundreds of racing starts over the years.