Aluminum, $14,000
Location: Nixon Park – Cooper and North
Hobie’s Dilemma is part of the 2009 - 2010 City of Jackson's public art exhibition sponsored by the City of Jackson, Arts and Cultural Alliance of Jackson County and the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History.
The original concept of this sculpture was of the gear cluster in an automobile differential. Eventually the gears were modified to three of equal size, then the teeth were eliminated. Of course three gears in mesh with each other cannot spin as each would cause the next gear in the opposite direction. The result is gridlock. Interestingly, could this sculpture represent the governmental gridlock. But then the work became much more personal.
As a divorced parent, with shared custody of their 13 year old daughter, it seemed as if their daughter was the one caught in the middle. Mom is trying to spin her in one direction. Dad trying to spin her in another direction. The result is gridlock.
He is thankful to be able to learn lessons from both. The nature of sculpture allows the viewer to understand the work in any way, as it relates to their life and background. Doug believes that the thoughts and images provoked in the viewers mind are far more important than his own.
