Auto Tower, Industrial Forms (part A) c. 1922

Editor: Here we have John Storrs's "Auto Tower, Industrial Forms (part A)," made around 1922 using mixed media, including wood and metal. The stark geometry of this sculpture creates a sense of powerful monumentality. What catches your eye when you examine the piece? Curator: Its very deliberate construction, I must say. Notice the interplay between the smooth, curving lines at the top, juxtaposed against the hard edges and rectangular forms. This tension, further emphasized by the contrasting materials and coloration, guides the viewer's eye through a calculated composition. How does the relationship between those shapes strike you? Editor: I see what you mean! It is very precise. It almost feels like the artist is presenting us with a puzzle. The textures look so different. Does this deliberate construction say something about his inspiration, perhaps the urban landscape of his time? Curator: Intriguing! Let's focus solely on the artwork itself. Disregarding external influences, how does the formal relationship between line, shape, and texture communicate meaning? Observe the surface treatment, the intentional breaks in form… they speak of a striving for balance, an attempt to reconcile opposing forces within the singular object. Would you agree? Editor: Yes, now that you point that out, I am struck by how the piece pulls the eye in so many directions but somehow finds equilibrium. Thank you for showing me that it is all there in the sculpture, if you really look closely. Curator: Indeed, sometimes the most profound insights are gleaned through meticulous observation. It's a testament to the power of formal analysis!