Lecture Notes: Nasher Sculpture Center Presentation

Introduction

Presenter: Anna Smith, Curator of Education
Guest: Hugh Hayden, artist
Housekeeping:
- Silence cell phones
- Upcoming event: Conversation with Samara Golden on September 28
- Thanks to supporters of Hugh Hayden Homecoming
- Special thanks to Frost Bank for 2024 exhibitions

Born in Dallas, currently lives in NYC
Work examines American dream, formative years in North Texas
Solo exhibitions:
- Huff and a Puff (De Cordova Sculpture Park)
- Briarpatch (Madison Square Park Conservancy)
- Exhibitions at ICA Miami, Blaffer Art Museum, Listen Gallery, and more
Group exhibitions: Forest of Dreams, NGV Triennial
Advisory councils at Columbia University, Cornell University, etc.
Public collections include: Metropolitan Museum of Art, LACMA, Studio Museum of Harlem

Exhibition Nature:
- Different bodies of work reflecting Hayden's sculptural vocabulary
- Survey of new works capturing themes from past 15 years
Themes:
- Blending in, athletics, social anxieties, cultural expectations
- American dream, aspirations, and conformity
Specific Artworks:
- Football helmet sculpture made of Texas ebony, oak
- Concepts of protection, conformity, and cultural significance
- "Made in Heaven" – Skeletons in embrace exploring gender and known biases
- Usage of wood, cultural motifs, and anthropomorphism

Themes of Aspiration and Conformity
- Sports as a medium to explore race, identity, and social status
- Concepts of luxury and social mobility via clothing and accessories
Cultural and Historical Narratives
- Skeletons and woodwork as cultural symbols, devoid of identity
- Implementing African motifs, American infrastructure as a cultural melting pot

Materials and Methods:
- Use of native Texas wood like Mesquite, Texas Ebony
- Bent lamination technique for ribs of skeletons
- Intertwining sports motifs with cultural themes
- Usage of non-traditional materials like synthetic hair
Basketball Series:
- "Rapunzel" and "Short and Stout" as explorations of success, societal expectations
Wood Selection and Symbolism
- Symbolic choices of wood types reflecting cultural narratives

Main Exhibitions:
- "Heaven" – Adirondack chair with branches symbolizing aspiration and relaxation
- "Kidsville" – Playground from Dallas suburb reflecting community and nostalgia
- Pinocchio figure "Pecanocchio" made of Texas pecan wood, personal childhood reference
Interactivity and Perception:
- Using playground and domestic space motifs for cultural commentary
- Exploration of racial identity through wood type and cultural tropes

Impact and Reception:
- Hayden's personal connection to Dallas
- Aimed to resonate with local audience through cultural references
Challenges and Aspirations:
- Balancing personal narrative with universal themes
- Merging technical expertise with conceptual depth