Bennett Wine is part of Exposed 2011. He lives in Upstate New York.
The title, Landscape in a Portrait Mode, refers to one of three main themes weaving themselves in and out of this sculpture. The title refers to the two common formats that we use to view computer content; Landscape and Portrait modes. In this case, the content is a landscape that is generally seen horizontally, but in this case is in a portrait mode since the sculpture is taller than it is wide. The computer theme of the piece is continued with the representation of three simplistic, computer icon-like shapes seen in the sculpture: a cloud, a rock, and a tree.
A second theme that touches on the first foregrounds the way the piece was created. It should be somewhat apparent to the viewer that the piece was designed on a computer and that the digital photographs laminated to the form were generated and manipulated on a computer. There are visual clues within the photographs that should inform the viewer that the center of the sculpture, the “tree” made of reconstructed saplings, was photographed on the spot where the sculpture now stands. Less apparent is the fact that the “rock” is composed of the rocks that line the side of the creek behind the sculpture.
The last theme is the one that juxtaposes the depicted reality with actual reality. This is seen in the fact that the landscape surrounding the sculpture is incorporated into the sculpture itself. We also see it when we notice that one of the saplings in the photographs that makes up the tree, stands outside the main sculpture.
Bennett Wine, after having lived for 30 years in New York City, decided to risk the noxious odor of clean air and moved to the Catskill Mountains where he lives and works on his art and sees to the needs of his beloved shepherd mix dog. His artwork, all of which employs photography, are large constructions and digital prints. Most of the outdoor sculptures are site-specific incorporating photographs into the work of the area where the sculptures stand.
ABOUT EXPOSED
For the past twenty years, the Helen Day Art Center has hosted an outdoor public art and sculpture exhibition called Exposed in Stowe, Vermont. Exposed hosts sculptures, site-specific installations, and participatory work from twenty-three national and international artists. the 2011 edition offers a series of Thursday night events by 12 video artists, writers, performers, and musicians accompany the exhibit. This exhibition and series of events is accompanied by cell phone audio tours, QR codes, walking tour maps, walkabouts, and a catalogue of the exhibit published by Kasini House Books. The exhibition will take place July 8th to October 8th, 2011.