WP3: Rough Draft 1

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 almost exclusively on the female anatomy. It is a fascinating piece of artwork with many symbolic themes and rhetorical arguments boldly sending their message to the world.

But to completely understand Torso and what it represents, we must understand William Zorach and the time period that he created this sculpture.

Zorach was born in Eurburg, Lithuania in 1889, before immigrating to Ohio two years later as a toddler. By the time he became a teenager, Zorach was taking art classes at the Cleveland School of Art and the National Academy of Design.

He continued studying art during his youth and decided to travel the world to learn about different types of art. It was on one of his trips that he met Margeurite Thompson, whom he later married and settled down with.

During the 1920's Zorach experimented with a variety of art, including wood, oil painting and carving. Rejecting Renaissance Naturalism, Zorach instead drew inspiration from African, Chinese, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Greek art. In his own work he generally ignored surface detail and was an artist who instead focused on the simple things to send a clear message.

"Real sculpture is something monumental, something hewn from a solid mass, something with response, with inner and outer form; with strength and power," Zorach said.

In 1932 Zorach created Torso from a solid mass called Labrador Granite. This material is not easy to cut, and is renowned for it's hardness and difficulty to sculpt. The material is also dark brown, which gives Torso and the woman it represents the skin color of a minority whether by accident or coincidence.

Regardless, when the skin color is observed on the violent and broken female body that is Torso, it only strengthens the notion that this piece of art is a message about women, race and sex. In the 1930's when Torso was created, African Americans had no rights. Segregated schools and communities meant that for most minorities, life was full of poverty and disrespect simply based on the color of skin.

When you look closely at the back of Torso, you see hundreds of little nicks and cuts on the woman's back. For an artist that generally ignored surface detail, Zorach clearly went out of his way to establish a connection between the African American woman he was portraying, and the form of punishment slaves endured in the 19th century; whippings and lashings that left scars for a lifetime.

But like the color of Torso's skin, it is no accident that the violent and broken body that is Torso belongs to a woman. Zorach grew up in a time where women were not equal to men. They lacked equality in the law, in the work force and in their expected role from society. While today it seems completely normal to see women on television, at the office and even playing professional sports, things were not always like this.

Just a few years before Torso was completed, women did not even have the right to vote. Domestic abuse was generally tolerated. Women were expected to be caregivers of their husband. Females were supposed to grow up, have kids and raise them like a good house wife. Their entire identity was largely defined at the moment of birth simply because they were a woman.

So what did Zorach think of minorities and women? Again, for an artist that pays so much attention to the detail he does include in his work, we see the broken female body of a naked woman, whose only represented by her breasts and lower sexual organs. Oh, and she is decapitated. She has no head, which also means she has no voice in society. Torso can't give an opinion, speak freely or contribute her ideas to the world. She is silent, and not by choice. Her voice has been violently taken from her.

But Zorach didn't stop there. He cut off the arms and legs of Torso, which renders it useless to society. Without hands, a woman can't work or be productive in the world. And without feet she is not free to move around the world on her own as she pleases. Torso is restricted, handicapped and for the most part a burden on society.

To put it bluntly, it seems that the only thing Torso is good for is sex. Zorach is sending a message that women can't do much in a world dominated by men. And while it might be a stretch to say that all American's felt this way in the 1930's, clearly some did have these views of women and minorities. And that is the message we see in Torso.

But things have changed since 1932 for African Americans and women. A perfect example of this came in 2008 when the United States elected it's first African American President in Barack Obama. We also have the most influential woman on television; a woman named Opra Winfrey. And arguably the most talked about person in politics with Sarah Palin and her potential presidential run as a woman in 2012. In short, we live in a world more tolerant and accepting of women and minorities than ever before.

But Torso reminds us of our past and the dark history we can not forget. We must look at the future and ask how we can make the world better, for these problems have not dissapeared. 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. And I think that's how Zorach would have wanted it. He had a powerful message in 1932 that still needs to be heard today. For we know that when people come together and take action, things can change. In the words of Barack Obama, "Yes we can."

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.

WP3: Prewriting Assignment 5

To understand Torso, we must understand the man who created it and the context in which he sculpted this incredible masterpiece.

Torso was created in 1932, which was in the middle of the Great Depression. It was a time of uncertainty, and certainly a period where living by your means and appreciating the simple things was the best way to survive. Poverty was rampant and many people were losing everything that they had. Their jobs and their homes. Many even had to sell prized possessions such as wedding rings and watches simply to pay for food.

It is no surprise than that William Zorach drew Torso as he did. A simplified version of the human body, part of his message might have been to appreciate the simple things during a difficult time, such as the beauty and love of a woman and her body.

The artist known as William Zorach was born in Eurburg, Lithuania in 1889, before immigrating to Ohio two years later as a toddler. Once Zorach became a teenager, he started taking art classes at the Cleveland School of Art and the National Academy of Design.

He continued to study art at various schools during his youth and traveled the world learning about different types of art. Along the way he met and married Margeurite Thompson, and decided to settle down with her so that he could begin creating his own artistic work.

During the 1920's Zorach experimented with a variety of art, including wood, oil painting and carving. Rejecting Renaissance naturalism, Zorach drew inspiration from African, Chinese, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Greek art. In his own work he ignored surface detail, and was an artist who focused on the simple things.

"Real sculpture is something monumental, something hewn from a solid mass, something with response, with inner and outer form; with strength and power," Zorach said.

Not surprisingly, all of these characteristics are present in Torso. It is a monumental piece of art created from a solid mass called Labrador Granite. This material is not easy to cut, and is renowned for it's hardness and difficulty to sculpt.

This might also send a message that to create something really beautiful in life, you have to work hard for it. The best things never come easily, and it takes effort and persistance to arrive at the end result.

Another interesting demention to Torso is the tension between naturalism and idealism, as well as dynamism and stasis (I will explore these relationships further in my final project).

"A human body can be reduced to simple elementary forms and become a thing of sheer beauty," said Zorach.

He went on to to win many awards for his work, including the Logan Medal of the Arts. Frank Granger Logan, for whom the award is named for, strongly opposed all forms of modern art, including cubism, surrealism and abstract expressionism.

Zorach taught art at the Art Students League of New York for the remainder of his years before passing away in 1966. But his legacy lives on through his art, including at the University of Nebraska at the Sheldon Art Museum.

This information hasn't really changed my perception of Torso. In fact in a lot of ways it re-enforces many of the ideas I already had about Torso. Ultimately Zorach was a man who focused on the simple things in life and in his art. And I think he wanted others in the world to see the importance of simple but good things as well. All of this and more will be explored in my final project.

WP3: Prewriting Assignment 4

Torso is located in the middle of a college campus. That is it's audience. And in a way, it might help us to understand the message the object and it's creator are trying to convey.

When we think of college campuses, we must think about what exactly that represents. Men and women between the ages of 18-25 (generally) walking around in a free environment for the first time. Free from their parents, high school problems and on their own in a new world. It's exciting, it's scary and it's a time in our lives for exploration and new experiences.

Then there is torso. A figure representation of the female body. The sexual organs are in tact and fully displayed. The woman has no clothing whatsoever and is what many men would consider to be attractive. She is fit, formed and certainly brings attention to the female anatomy.

So why would someone put a figure like this on a college campus? Well like it or not, college campuses are filled with young men and women who are indeed exploring things for the first time. This often includes sex. With no parents to worry about coming into the room, and no curfew to prevent late night activity, things happen on a college campus that we don't see occuring anywhere else.

But wait a minute. Perhaps this figure is sending the opposite message that one might think a hot shirtless woman would convey. For when one looks at torso closely, you begin to notice some things. While the female anatomy is intact, torso has no arms or legs. And because it has no face, this figure lacks a soul. We feel no emotional connection to it. It's not a person, just a body. And I think that's what torso represents. And I think that's why it was put on a college campus.

Basically, I think the message here is that sex is not what life is about. Sure, it feels great and can be an amazing experience with a special partner. But without the emotional connection to our partner, it's just another fun night that doesn't really mean anything. It's incomplete, worthless. Just like this torso. Without a face and arms and legs and emotion, it means nothing.

On the other hand though, you can look at Torso from Zorach's perspective in a positive way. Instead of being a message of sex, this figure can be interpreted as a figure of beauty and respect towards the female body. Torso was created in 1932 during the Great Depression. And currently we are in a recession through difficult economic times. I believe Zorach's message is as clear today as it was back in 1932, and it's environment could not be more appropriate.

As young people, we face a challenging future. And because we are in college, many of us don't have a lot of money. Torso reminds us to appreciate the simple things, such as the love of a beautiful girl.

And so, I conclude that this is the message to torso's audience of young men and women. Youth exploring the world freely for the first time. Remember the lessons that you learned. Take pride and value in the relationships of those around you. And keep life simple when you seem overwhelmed. Zorach may have been born in a different generation. But his values and lessons are valid even in today's rapidly changing world.

WP3: Prewriting Assignment 3

Torso is located outside of the Sheldon Art Museum, surrounded by green grass and dozens of other artistic exhibits. And because it is not located indoors, the audience probably approaches it a little differently than they would a typical piece of artwork in a museum.

When a person is inside a museum, the way we behave and perceive our environment changes greatly. One is generally expected to be quite and respectful of others when inside of an artistic, old fashioned building. And because we are in an 'art museum' we probably look around more, come in with a different sense of expectation and just change our attitudes to reflect the environment.

However, when you are viewing art outside in a more relaxed and open environment, the atmosphere changes greatly. As a viewer you are probably more relaxed, casual and more yourself, so to speak. You act more like you would in a typical situation.

But more importantly, because it is outside, I believe Torso probably attracts a younger audience. Simply because young people don't tend to visit museums unless it is required by a class they are taking. Let's just be honest here.

Museum doors can probably seem a little bit intimidating or uncomfortable, especially to young people. You probably see many more UNL students casually stroll through the park where Torso is located, then going inside of the actual art museum. And if anything Torso is seen by more UNL students just walking around because of it's placement outside.

By the same argument, if Torso was meant to be seen by an older audience, I think placing it inside would make more sense. But it's not, and that is part of the message here. Torso is aimed at young people.

We might also consider the overall natural environment in which Torso is located. Instead of being in a synthetic environment such as the inside of a fancy museum, we see this object outside. Torso gets rained and snowed on, and spends many days out of the year baking in the hot sun.

It is also surrounded by trees, grass and everyday people walking around as opposed to four walls and museum goes. Because torso is dealing with the issue of sex, I think it is only natural (no pun intended) that it is located in a natural environment. After all, sex is essentially the most natural of human behaviors. And I believe this goes a long way in amplifying it's overall message of sexuality and what it means for the everyday person.

Many of the pieces of artwork inside of Sheldon are very unique, beautiful and stand out greatly. This is not to take away from Torso, or to say that it isn't beautiful and special. But let's be honest, this object isn't all that glamorous. It lacks color, arms, legs and any emotional connection due to the lack of a face.

In fact, when I was wandering around the outside area looking for torso, I had trouble finding it. It doesn't stand out initially. Why is that? Why is this structure not given more prominence. Why didn't the creator make this torso more colorful, or add those features that would make it appear more human. This is another example of the everyday object and theme that Torso seems to be going for. It's not flashy, it's not in a typical museum environment. This is something different.

In a world consumed with sex filled messages, Torso conveys an everyday message that is often ignored by society. Speaking directly to students as they walk around campus, Torso is the definition of what is wrong with sex culture. It's not about the lust we have for a body, or the status we achieve by getting with that attractive person. In essence, it's not about what we see openly displayed on Torso.

It's about love, and emotion, and caring and the relationship we form with a partner. All of the things that are lacking in Torso. This message is stronger due to it's environment outside of the Sheldon Art Museum. I am excited to explore these themes further in my final project.