WP3: Statement of Purpose

The object called Torso was created in 1932 by a man named William Zorach.

It is loyal to it's name, presenting itself as an attractive female torso. But it lacks arms, legs and a face, which forces the eyes to focus exclusively on the sexual female anatomy. And when evaluating this sculpture, a number of questions are raised and must be addressed.

First and foremost, why did Zorach choose a woman for Torso? During the 1930's women did not have many of the rights and priveleges that they do today. In other words, a sculpture like this meant something different in 1932 than it would today. The violent removal of the arms, legs and head are shocking when first observed. I believe an important component to this project will need to address this phenomenon.

Notice also the color of Torso's skin. The material Zorach chose is dark brown, reflecting minority in society either by coincidence or on purpose. Regardless, when observed on the violent and broken female body that is Torso, it only strengthens the notion that this is a message about women, race and sex. In the 1930's African Americans had even fewer rights than women. Segregated schools and communities meant that for most minorities, life was full of poverty and disrespect simply based on the color of skin.

On top of these already powerful factors in Torso are the cuts that can be observed all over Torso's back. The preferred form of punishment during times of slavery was whippings and lashings that left scars for a lifetime. When observing Torso, it is impossible not to notice these marks, and how they were clearly left on Torso intentionally to send a message.

And so, my project will explore all of these concepts in detail, to hopefully decode the rhetorical message Zorach was trying to send to our society. A lot can be said about a female African American body, bruised and cut through years of abuse, with it's head and limbs violently amputated. Zorach had a powerful message that he wanted people to hear.

And while today we live in a much more tolerant society of minorities, we can not forget our history. These ideas and stories of abuse for African Americans almost seem alien, but they did happen. And we must know our history so that we don't repeat those mistakes.

Finally, we must look at the future and ask how we can make the world better. Minorities still lack full equality in the United States in many ways subliminal ways. Gay and lesbians face their own civil rights movement in America as they fight for equal marriage. And worldwide, millions of people are oppressed because of their skin color and other genetic factors. Slavery still exists, and racial genocide is still common in many parts of the world.

And so the message of Torso is still relevant. The problem that it addresses has not gone away. And it's message still needs to be heard, for we know that with action change can occur.