The Retort

Critic’s Critique: The Problems with Growing Up

March 26th, 2010 by Lou Donaldson Of The Retort Staff

Inside the student gallery on the first floor of the LA Building is the senior show of William Crandle. In his show, Will has chosen to deal with the dark side of the concept of growing up and becoming what you wanted to be when you were a kid. The first piece seen in this exhibition is a sculpture of Santa and a little boy, harmless enough, but Santa is not handing the little one a present. Instead Santa is handing the little guy a chain from over his shoulder, and on the other end of the chain are many common, and some not-so-common, things found in society: a pack of smokes, a McDonald’s bag, a gambling die and others, including a Klan hood. The theory is that this is taught to children, or handed down to them. It is an interesting piece to say the least.

Down the pathway guided by black drapery is a group of black and white photos of two different children posed in different situations: having achieved what they wanted to be “when they were little,” and now having to deal with the dark and real consequences thereof. The photos include a supermodel weighing out her food so that she can maintain the “perfect weight” that her body is insured to be, and a rock star surrounded by the bras of groupies, bottles of booze, and drugs galore. The photo of a little boy as President recalls the Bill Clinton era, speaking of his impeachment over the scandal involving Monica Lewinsky, right down to the stained dress. These images are rather poignant and heartbreaking with the truth that they present.

The next piece is a sculpture that may not make much sense at first glance, but becomes clearer after reading the title, meaning, and nature of the piece.

Around the corner from the sculpture are the images of a mother nursing her child in a rocking chair. However, it is not breast milk that the mother is feeding the infant, but rather images projected on a tiny screen. This piece brings to mind the old adage, “TV will rot your brain out.” Considering the actions seen by the youth and other people of today’s world, this odd adage may have more truth to it than it was originally given credit for.

The last piece in the show is rather disturbing. It is a bow framing the picture of a child that has been severely beaten, and beside the image hangs a worn leather belt. The title of this piece is equally as effective as the piece itself. Not only does it ask the viewer a question, but is in and of itself thought-provoking, and makes one rethink their initial impressions upon first viewing the piece.