Mirror Fence Presentation by Georgia, Alyssa, Jordan, and
John
Slide 2
Alyson Shotz Born in Glendale Arizona in 1964 Lives/works in
Brooklyn NY. Has a BFA from Rhode Island school of design and an
MFA from the university of Washington She was recently included in
exhibits -The more things change, at the san fransico museum of art
-New perspectives, storm king art center -Living color at hirshorn
museum
Slide 3
She was recently included in exhibits -The more things change,
at the san fransico museum of art -New perspectives, storm king art
center -Living color at hirshorn museum Solo exhibits -The Wexner
center of the arts in Columbus OH The Nasher sculpture center
Dallas TX -The Frances young tang museums, among others
Slide 4
Shotz received Pollock Krasner Award in 2010, the 2007 Saint
Gaudens Memorial fellowship and was the 2005-2006 Happy and Bob
Doran Artist in Residence at Yale University Art Gallery.
Slide 5
Her work was included in numerous public collections: -The
Solomon r. Guggenheim museum NYC -The hirshhorn museum and
sculpture garden, Washington DC. -The San Francisco museum of
modern art, the high museum of art, Atlanta GA Upcoming solo
exhibitions include the Philips collection in Washington DC as a
well as the Indiana museum of art, Indianapolis, IN. -slides by
Alyssa
Slide 6
Although the first thing most people will notice about the
Mirror Fence is the fact that it is made up of mirrors, when you
get a closer look at it there is another interesting, stand-out,
detail: the inside of the fence is a clear plastic. This is
interesting because on either side of the plastic are mirrors which
are debatably the opposite of see through, they not only block the
image on the other side but they show you what is opposite of the
direction you are looking. It is interesting to consider why Shotz
would use such impenetrable outer pieces yet have a transparent
middle. The limpid middle to this mirror coated fence might
represent that although many boundaries may seem impassible that
might just be their outer appearance, and deeper inside they could
be more penetrable than they look. -slide by John
Slide 7
Landscape Slide by Jordan
Slide 8
In addition to placing Mirror Fence at a natural change in
landscape of the park, it interacts with the landscape and viewer
in a very interesting way since it is made of mirrors. The reason
the fence seems to blend into its landscape is because it actually
reflects its surroundings on itself, such as fallen leaves and
grass, creating a camouflage effect. However, when the viewer gets
closer and crouches down they will actually see their face, which
tarnishes the continuous image of nature. This change in appearance
of the reflections may signify how things behind a white picket
fence may seem normal and perfect, yet taking the time to get
closer can reveal how each family leads a unique life with
imperfections. Slide by Georgia
Slide 9
In the sculpture mirror fence by Alyson shotz, it seems to be
making a statement about the shape of the fence. The shape of the
fence being a picket fence, may represent part of the classic clich
American house and family. Of course usually, the picket fence is
made of wood and painted white where in the sculpture it is made of
plastic and mirrors. Maybe the artist chose mirrors because most
people do represent the clich American family. Alternatively, the
fence in the sculpture could represent what fences are, which is
boundaries. The mirrors on the fence could mean that you are the
only one that is creating the boundaries or at least abiding by
them. Slide by Jack