Arrangement Compositions:
Full Statement

Arrangement Compositions explored the nature of arranging as an artistic process. As people go about their daily lives, they are constantly engaged in a process of distinguishing, selecting, organizing and rearranging. These are the same actions an artist uses when birthing a work of art. As the artist ponders their construction, decisions have to be made, objects have to be chosen, and parts have to be rearranged.

This exhibition celebrated the fundamental aspect of arranging as the basic building block of creativity. People often exclaim that they have no artistic talent, yet in their daily lives, they are continually engaged in arranging their own world both on the inner and outer landscape. This act of arranging taps into the essence of the creative process and is shared by all humanity.

Art is often the act of intentional arranging for the purpose of aesthetic enjoyment or personal communication. In the case of this installation, a simple ledge was provided as a base upon which to arrange simple shapes. Both the ledge and the shapes were constructed out of cardboard and were displayed against a white background. The shapes, ledge, and wall, with their monochromatic hue stood, as elemental representations for all that exists in the world.

As participants arranged the simple shapes on the ledge, they were encouraged to continue arranging until they arrived at a composition that they enjoyed on both a physical and aesthetic level. No two arrangements would be the same, and each arrangement told a story about the uniqueness of the individual who arranged it.

As I documented the installation, I captured many images of participants standing next to their arrangements. The expressions on the faces of the participants seemed to radiate a child-like joy concerning the arrangements they had just composed. I was reminded that when we intentionally arrange to our satisfaction the circumstances in proximity to us, an innate sense of the joy is sparked that we were created to possess.

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