How to Appreciate Sculpture

Whether it’s the likeness of a local legend or a roadside pyramid of stainless steel balls glimpsed on your commute, sculptures are the type of public art we are most likely to encounter. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to imagine a more loved, hated or debated medium. Royden Mills, ’88 BFA, ’90 MVA, a sculptor and longtime instructor in the University of Alberta’s fine arts program, knows that appreciating sculptures can be intimidating — but his tried-and-true method helps you see them in a new light.

1. Bring an open mind

The first step to looking at a sculpture, Mills says, doesn’t have to do with your eyes: it’s all about mindset. You don’t have to be an art expert or enthusiast to engage with a sculpture (or any kind of art). The most exciting experiences come when you leave your expectations behind. “You don’t have to guess what the artist meant,” Mills says. “You just have to be open to it and let yourself be affected.”

2. See how you feel

The next step is to, well, be affected. At this stage, don’t think too hard or get caught up in trying to figure out what the sculpture is trying to represent. Instead, Mills suggests tapping into your senses. First, take mental note of what you see and even hear in the sculpture. For example, what shapes do you see in it? Does it blend in with or stick out from the space surrounding it? Does it echo the sounds around you? Then, check in with the emotions and sensations that arise. Do you feel small in its presence? Awe-struck? Unsettled? “Let yourself feel what it feels like to be there, to have your body in the same place as the sculpture,” Mills says.

3. Take a stab at an interpretation

But don’t get stuck on doing it “the right way.” There are many ways to interpret a single piece of art — or as Mills puts it, to figure out what the piece is “about.” For example, here’s one reading of Edmonton’s Talus Dome: The metallic pyramid disrupts the natural landscape of the river valley, communicating the intrusive power of man-made materials. Here’s another: The spheres reflect the changing scenery, so you’ll never look at the same dome twice. Maybe this shows how fallible humanity is in the face of nature.

4. Make your critique

After rounding out your interpretation, Mills suggests asking yourself: “how could the sculpture be what it’s about in a better way?” In other words, what would you change about the piece to embody your interpretation even more? Now, the proverbial ball is in your court. This could mean creating a new artwork that better represents your analysis. Or maybe it means comparing this sculpture to the next one you see, refining your eye for how sculptures use materials and space to create meaning. Mills says that growing a taste for art is no different from developing a culinary palette — the more wine you drink (and compare and critique) the more each glass will come to life with its own subtle nuances and reminders of others you’ve had before.

Critique makes creators of all of us, Mills says. After all, you’ve just created a new idea — something that didn’t exist until moments ago. “Art is supposed to do that,” he says. “It’s supposed to unleash your potential.”