Exhaling Dissolution: An interview with sculptor Sarah Deppe
Deppe designed and constructed the massive human head sculpture out of cottonwood bark, seeking to encourage reflection and discussion on social issues and the environment.
Newly installed public artwork in West Laramie is igniting conversation, praise and derision throughout the community. The sculpture, Exhaling Dissolution, stands nearly 14 feet tall and lives on the West Laramie side of Snowy Range Road, not far from the Greenbelt Trail. The wooden face looks west and its mouth rests open.
Sarah Deppe, a sculptor from Madison, Wisconsin, is the artist behind the art. She was selected as one of the first two artists to be featured by the city’s Snowy Range Rotating Sculpture Program, alongside Kentucky-based artist Clifton Cox. (Cox’s abstract sculpture Taking Flight can be seen at the 3rd Street intersection where Snowy Range Road becomes Harney Street.)
Deppe’s artwork often calls to mind elements of nature and asks its audience to consider the interconnection between humans and the rest of the natural world.
The city of Laramie established the rotating sculpture program in 2019 using viaduct improvement funds. The Laramie Public Art Coalition (LPAC) runs the program and selected Exhaling Dissolution (and Taking Flight) from among 78 submitted artworks and out of six finalists. The installations will remain in place for three years and eventually be replaced by new, traveling sculptures.
Deppe’s sculpture has received both praise and criticism, especially on social media, as photos of the artwork bring the piece — and the opportunity to comment on it — to a wider audience. (The LPAC even removed the ability for public comment on its own post about the installation, citing “some unkindness” and “mean-spirited comments.”)
The Laramie Reporter asked Deppe about her artwork, the philosophy behind it, and her response to the local feedback Exhaling Dissolution has received.
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Jeff Victor: So tell me a little about you and your background.
Sarah Deppe: Most of my work relates to and works with the natural landscape. I often reference some natural materials or organic form in my public work. I currently teach some sculpture courses at Beloit College, and I work with exhibit fabrication at the Madison Children’s Museum.
JV: Awesome. So I'll ask about the art itself in a second, but I wanted to first ask: How did your art come to be in Laramie? And come to be part of the Snowy Range Rotating Sculpture Program?
SD: They (LPAC) put out a call for artists. And there were some parameters they were looking for. They were looking for a large sculpture, and one that could withstand the weather. So I applied for that, my work was selected, and then I brought it out to Laramie.
JV: And this particular sculpture has been displayed elsewhere, right? Can you give me a history of where it's been?
SD: I made it in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It's been on display in a couple of different places in Iowa, and in Tennessee — and this was its longest trip, coming out to Wyoming.
JV: So, tell me about Exhaling Dissolution, and how you conceived of it and made it, or what you're hoping people see in it. Just everything about the sculpture itself.
SD: So this work is a human head — no one in particular; it’s representing humanity. It’s made of cottonwood bark, which is a thicker bark so it kind of looks like sticks. And then underneath that, there is a metal armature that it’s attached to — so it's actually hollow. Its mouth is open as if it were speaking or breathing, and I hope it seems like it's exhaling or engaging in conversation. My primary focus was to initiate conversations about social issues, or the environment, and to give a voice to Nature.
And it's about connecting with nature, and kind of being one as humanity. I use this bark as a surface, because it will eventually return to the Earth — so I liked that kind of renewing idea as well.
JV: I took a quick look at your site online and got to see a few other pieces you've done. I was hoping you could tell me a bit about what has inspired or motivated your art — you know, this one and others. Is there a kind of philosophy you have behind it all? Is each piece something different?
SD: So my public work, I think, is more inspired by the natural world — using organic materials, or found materials, as well as some of my gallery work. I'm interested in how objects and material within our urban space affect our relationship with the natural world. I’m interested in that human-nature connection — or that separation. But I try to push more of the connection, the things that we have in common.
JV: Yeah … I'm sure that you, like every artist, is accustomed to getting a mixed response to your art. The sculpture here is no exception. I've seen a lot of comments about it — and many have been positive or reflective — but some other people look at it and say: maybe it shouldn't be there, or it's scary. I'm just wondering what you think of that response to your work?
SD: I welcome all opinions. I think it's great that people are talking about art and they're engaging in the dialogue and they’re really critically thinking about the artwork that's being placed around the community. I think artwork doesn't all have to be very beautiful — you know, it can be a little creepy, it can be a little darker. I don't think that my work is that. I don't see it in that way. But, I think it's great to expose people to different types of artworks and see things that they haven't in the past. Public art, in general, does a really great job of exposing everyone to artwork, because they drive by it and they see it — as opposed to if it were in the gallery, where people intentionally go to that. So it really opens up the audience, to see more art and different artworks. I think the selection committee did a really good job bringing two very different artworks to Laramie to expose everyone to new ideas, new views, to maybe push the boundaries there. I think they did a great job.
JV: Yeah, and this piece is on a major road here, and near one of the parks. So I think it's a good location for getting a lot of people to see it. Do you have any final thoughts before we go?
SD: I'm just really happy to have my work in Laramie.
JV: Well, thank you for taking the time to talk with me today.
SD: Yes, thank you.
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