Mirror Fence Presentation by Georgia, Alyssa, Jordan, and John

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

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

Shotz received Pollock Krasner Award in 2010, the 2007 Saint Gaudens Memorial fellowship and was the Happy and Bob Doran Artist in Residence at Yale University Art Gallery.

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

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

Landscape Slide by Jordan

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

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 cliché 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 cliché 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