Artist Lecture #4: Amy Hauft

Amy Hauft is the chair of the Sculpture Department here at Virginia Commonwealth University Last night she gave a very brief lecture at the Anderson Gallery where her piece, "Counter Re-formation" is installed.

Hauft generally works to create large architectural pieces, intending for the sculpture to resemble a landscape. Hauft explained that landscapes and "arcane" craft are very essential to her artistic process. I didn't know what arcane meant, but I looked it up:

arcane-adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matter.

This would make sense, as Hauft delved into the historical background behind her piece. The center of the work was a small sugar sculpture staircase inspired by a wooden model she had seen in at a Cooper Hewit show. She related the wooden staircase to a DNA strand and was so interested in the model that she convinced the curators at the museum to allow her to measure the piece. Hauft has replicated the staircase using melted sugar cane to twice the original size.
Speaking about her technique, I learned that the use of sugar is indeed an arcane craft, having been frequently used in the 16th and 17th century. Hauft sought out Ivan Day, a culinary artist who specializes in the ephemeral art in cooking. Ivan Day provided antique cookbooks and taught Hauft the craft of sugar molding.

Hauft provided insight into this obsolete art form. Apparently the artisans used these sugar sculptures as a way to imitate porcelain, due to the high price of porcelain craft. By the Baroque Era, the artisans had mastered the medium so well that they could create intricate small gardens. By exploring this time period, Hauft was also inspired to incorporate a dessert table modeled after a table Louis XIV has possessed.

The overall goal of the piece is for the viewer to experience a physical experience they would have in the outdoors. The table and it's contents are supposed to imply an icy landscape. Hauft mentioned that she was inspired by the heavy snowdrifts that would cover cars. Another important aspect of this piece was the inclusion of a staircase. "Couner Re-formation" had been previously shown at the University of Western Michigan. At this location, the audience had accessibility to viewing the art from above. Due to some of architecutal set backs, Hauft installed a staircase so that the viewers of the piece have the opportunity to view the piece in a similar matter. Hauft believes that the best way to understand how everything is in relation to each other is to have an above view. This sculpture functions to allow everyone a strong physical experience within the space.