Expressive Portfolio entry #1 This work represents the experiences of the five senses I had while studying this work of art. Our five senses play a very crucial role in our daily lives, without which it would be very difficult to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. Sight the greatest gift of all the senses is also the most vulnerable. By seeing and observing the sculpture I sensed and felt that it suitably complemented the surrounding greenery yet it stood out in the background due to the type of material and colors used, which gave it a three dimensional effect. The colors created a very vivid and alive image, and despite its static look, the sculpture gives the observer a very calming and tranquil feeling. The sculpture draws attention when viewed from a distance, as the wavy pattern that alternately ascends and descends, forms a very interesting representation of a gigantic piece of meat on a skewer. It had different effect renderings when viewed from different angles and perspectives. I was visually impressed by the sculpture, and examined closely and tried to understand what the artist was trying to communicate or express. It is a very curious habit for observers to touch objects, and the feeling I got from touching the sculpture was refreshing as the metal was cold, it had a lingering coldness in the rain, and was smooth, slippery and wet as the water flowed down the columns. When I touched the sculpture with my eyes closed, it felt elongated like a never ending twisted piece of metal. The columns that hang down felt smooth, round, and with no significant edges. The two sides of the sculpture felt rough and gave a tingling sensation on the palm. On first seeing the sculpture, and being told it was suppose to represent a wind chime, I naturally expected to hear the sound of chimes, but that was not to be. I among many knocked at each chime, expecting to hear some sound but all we got was dead thud. The sculpture though a motionless structure stood peaceful, alone in the rain, it gave a very calming effect and a solemn feeling to the observer. This work of art made of steel, cast iron and concrete, at close-up range, one imagines the smell of heavy metal and concrete but the structure itself had no specific smell. It may have had a slight odour of oil and paint, which was possibly from the coating of its preservation treatment. As the sculpture is a still object, it does not trigger ones sense of literal taste. To describe the literal taste experience of this object is difficult, so some of us licked at the steel parts, which had a cold metal taste; the iron parts too had a metal taste, and strangely I also experienced the taste of blood on my tongue; and the concrete, as expected was cool and had a faint indescribable dull taste. Figuratively speaking, I agree with the taste of the sculptor and a choice of creation that blends with the environment. In conclusion and from a designers point of view, I have learnt and now have a more profound understanding on the use of our five senses in describing a given space or form, and that design creations can either communicate and or achieve any desired effects or fail with disastrous results. And knowing what the right and desired effect required is very important. Through this exercise, I have also learnt that every individual has a different perspective and reaction towards a certain object, color, space or form. I found the Wind Chimes a pleasing work of art while others expected more out of the still object. So in creating something for people, it is necessary to know what pleases the masses. In the commercial aspects we have to give consideration to what people want, but know their tastes and reactions towards a design, thereby achieving positive results. Making use of our five senses is an advantage as it makes us more aware and understand better the considerations and requirements of crafting a good design. It also makes us think objectively, differently, and have an abstract view of things, too. This is a necessary exercise for the creative mind.