WP3: Pre-writing 3

Arietta II is made out of steel. Steel is a metal and therefore is heavy and strong. The object of Arietta II is a bunch of birds, which are the very opposite of steel. Birds' feathers are very light and their bones are hollow, resulting in them being light and weak. By contrasting the characteristics of the steel, being strong and heavy, with the lightness and weakness of the birds, it emphasizes the birds' characteristics. It is similar to a juxtaposition, being two opposing things are presented side to side, but yet more than that because the characteristics of the steel make up the birds in the sculpture, which have the opposing characteristics.

The steel birds are welded together. The spots of the welding are not hidden. In fact, they are on the outside of the sculpture, not even attempted to be hidden on the inside. This points out the attachment, and togetherness of the birds in the sculpture. Starlings, which are the birds this sculpture is portraying, fly together in these huge masses. By working together in the huge masses, the birds are able to stay safe and warm.

Although, being made out of steel makes the sculpture strong and sturdy, it moves within the wind. You can see some movement at the top of the sculpture when the wind is blowing. Because all the birds are welded together, they all move together, which is reminiscent of the way the starlings move or swarm together. Also, the sculpture is much bigger at the top, where it is swaying, than it is at the bottom. This makes the sculpture's look as a whole unbalanced; it is top-heavy.

Because Arietta II is placed outdoors, it endures the weather. This results in it appearing worn and rusted, but still strong as a whole. Starlings face all the difficulties of the weather, such as scarcity of food and cold winters, but by working as a whole they are able to survive it. Another result of being placed outside is the shadows on and inside of the statue. This would not happen if Arietta II was indoors, where lighting is consistent. With the lighting of the sculpture changing, it appears as if the sculpture is changing or moving.