JESSICA MEDITZ
Asst. Life & Arts Editor
If you’ve ever wondered about the meanings behind those pink sculptures between Maytum and Mason Halls, look no further.
The abstruse shapes you pass on your way to class, called “Stockpiles,” are the works of artist and educator, Rainy Lehrman.
With the help of Fredonia’s sculpture project, In Sight/On Site, they were installed earlier in 2019.
The Visiting Artists Program invites Lehrman to return to Fredonia to discuss the creative process and message behind her work in-depth.
The lecture is free, open to the public and will take place on Dec. 5 at 8:30 p.m. in McEwen Hall, Room 209.
There have been various interpretations of the sculptures among students of Fredonia, including junior B.F.A. sculpture major and president of the Art Forum, Max Lee.
“I personally couldn’t tell you the message, mainly because in talking to Rainy, she was pretty ambiguous,” he said. “I think she does that on purpose, so people can pull what they want from it. I know one message regarding the materials is the idea that nothing is wasted. But the pink color can represent flesh, feminism or just simply a pop of color to our campus. Many people have also taken the shapes as blobs, meat in a market or other things. I really think they’re up for interpretation.”
Lee was one of the students who worked closely to help Lehrman install “Stockpiles” inside of Fredonia’s campus.
He said that he, along with the rest of the VAP executive board, found the installation experience to be both insightful and a bonding experience.
Aside from Lee’s interpretation of the art along with the disclosure that the group poked fun at what each pile resembled, Lehrman said that her “Stockpiles” actually have specific meanings and themes beneath their surface.
“Stockpiles” are an ongoing series of Lehrman’s, alluding to three main themes present in her art: observation, accumulation and excavation.
“In general, this ‘Stockpiles’ piece is a commentary on overconsumption,” she said. “To stockpile is a natural human instinct. Putting away for harder times, hoarding grain, salt and gold to sustain and control the masses.”
She said they were purposely made to feel a bit grotesque and that something is “supposed to feel off about them.”
Lehrman self-identifies as a process-based artist as the end results of her work are not always the main focus.
Formatting “Stockpiles” to be more permanent and suitable for outdoor weather conditions was a challenge for her, since her work is typically designed to change over time.
She expects the pieces to deteriorate periodically due to Fredonia’s frigid winters and humid summers.
“I’m curious to see them,” she said. “They should expand and contract naturally throughout the season, as well as [be] affected by moisture and cold temperatures.”
Each sculpture is eight to 10 layers and the balloon-like outer coating is made of industrial spandex. They are completely stuffed with sawdust and painted several shades of pink with exterior house paint.
Lehrman is not only excited to see how the “Stockpiles” have taken to the brisk conditions thus far. She’s also thrilled to be the second woman artist that In Sight/On Sight has recruited, as the majority of Fredonia’s sculptures have all been made by men.
As for her lecture, she’s looking forward to showing students specifically how she went about creating and recreating “Stockpiles.”
In fact, Lehrman said she had to start over about six or seven times before achieving the result she wanted.
“Usually the piece itself is all students get to see,” said Lehrman. “But to actually be able to show them how much trial and error it took to get to the point where I was working in a specific way; it shows how many times you have to try as an artist.”
In addition to creating more original artwork, her latest project being a piece titled “Water Bellies,” Lehrman is a professor of art at three universities in New York and New Jersey.
She said her artistic talents came naturally for her considering her hometown: a small artist commune in Oregon.
“Coming from a place with no electricity or running water is a completely different experience than living in Brooklyn, where I am now.”
Rainy Lehrman’s humble roots and recent Brooklynesque lifestyle contrast one another in the best way — shaping her open mind to create delightfully obscure artwork.