http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/arts/design/richard-serras-sculpture-at-gagosian-gallery-review.html?ref=design
Rosenberg describes the two pieces as formidable and moving, praising the artists as "perhaps the only artist who is capable" of making such dynamic usage of the gallery space. To capture the readers and make the article relevant to those who haven't experienced the pieces, he brings the feelings they inspire forward and draw the readers to its mystery.
Even the title reflects his image of the pieces. The commas support the "meandering," the action in the fragment make it seem more modern, and the repetition of sounds- in the "ly"s and "Immensely Imposing"- call to mind the ties he describes between the two works. He brings the reader through the "intimate and even claustrophobic" feel with his phrasings. The pieces are "giant, snaking swaths of steel." The comma and alliteration accent the winding quality he's reaching for. they are "graceful spirals" and "blind curves." The pieces, Rosenberg suggests, are a break from the norm, even calling to mind a dark forest, the "buzz of fluorescent light fixtures" being "miles away." He describes the experience of walking through and meeting other travelers "appear[ing] and reappear[ing]," trying to describe how individual the journey is. The viewer "emerge[ing]... discombobulated" focuses on the break between being in the pieces and the rest of the museum, assuring of its effectiveness.
Rosenberg shows the pieces as being intriguing. The viewer is "forced to make a choice" in which way to go. The viewer is "propelled" through the second piece, a strong, interesting action. They are "velvety sweeps of metal," a contradiction, again, drawing the reader in.Through phrases like this, Rosenberg is making the installation appealing. the reader can imagine both its physical qualities and the emotional experience through the dynamic writing.
As directly quoted from the assignment sheet, the goal of the close reading is to answer: "how does the author use techniques to create the effects and meanings that you, the reader, observe? " You clearly said that the effect is "to capture the readers and make the article relevant to those who haven't experienced the pieces." However, what about the meaning? I think it would be useful to analyze the author's tone first to get a broad sense of the author's point of view. And then, after having stepped in his shoes, you'll be able to come up with the meaning that he's trying to convey. :)
ReplyDeleteYou only analyzed syntax, you need to analyze two other techniques as well. You do a spectacular job analyzing the syntax that is there, but do not incorporate how that impacts the meaning of the work. Make sure you are carefully reading the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very thorough analsysis of the syntax in the article. Though I'm a bit confused by your middle paragraph, I think it would read better if you restructured it to give it more a flowing quality. It seems that you focus on each piece of syntax effectively, but don't tie them together and describe how they contribute to accomplish his goal of making his writing relevant.
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