118 Modules, Sculpture by American artist John Rogers
118 Modules is a stoneware sculpture in Portland, Oregon, made up of many rectangular shapes stacked and connected together. The work measures over 7 feet (2 meters) wide and nearly 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) deep, with a smooth white surface and no decorative elements.
John Rogers, a local Portland artist, created this sculpture in 1979 as his first public art project. The work was funded by a government program aimed at supporting employment and placing art in public spaces throughout the community.
The title 118 Modules refers to the separate blocks that fit together to form the whole work. The plain white form stands in contrast to the busy street and reminds passersby that art can be part of everyday life in the city.
The sculpture sits at Southwest 10th and Yamhill Street in downtown Portland and can be easily seen from the street or the parking lot below. Its bright white surface stands out clearly against the darker building, and visitors can view it from several angles as they walk by or move through the area.
The work was created using slip-casting, a ceramic technique typically used for smaller pieces, but applied here at large scale. This unusual manufacturing method shows Rogers' ability to expand traditional craft techniques and reimagine them for public art installations.
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