RISD SCULPTURE

ACI - 2022 Cohort Writings

RONI WEISS WRITING on ANDREW STORCK

May 18 2021

Leaving Without Saying Goodbye

Andrew's sculptures and installations recreate objects and weapons taken his time serving in US air force. Objects he studied, used, and operated daily. He reimagines these utilitarian objects, emphasizing his hand gesture. Andrew transforms these tools from everyday utilitarian objects to disabled, symbolic ones: "with their own politically charged significance."

Andrew served in the US air force for 7.5 years. The majority of his sculpture’s depict objects related to the Air Force: Airplane shapes, Airplane lights, canteens, missiles, utility belts. His sculptures are mid to large in size. They are monumental, realistic, characterized by one or two sets of colors—most of his recent sculptures made from steel and Carbon fiber.

Andrew mentions his sculptural techniques attempt to impart multiple mental aspects of military life. A sense of urgency when completing time-sensitive, dangerous, or mission-critical tasks. Andrew tries to translate these aspects of military life to art-making by using a variety of technical skills and methods, impacting the sculptural objects in a charged and dynamic way: "The objects I choose to create are things that veterans use daily in service."

After his military service, Andrew pursued a BFA in ceramics. He started working more in steel at RISD and describes steel as a more resilient material, but has the ability to feel fragile and delicate through surface finishes. Steel can be both delicate while feeling structural, stable, cold, and allows me to impart a fast way of making, similar to how I build in clay.

He emphasizes what he calls the "Economy of movement." Andrew mentioned that most things in military life are fast-paced: "time goes by there so quickly" – a quality he wants to preserve in his work.

Andrew often talks about his vision and attempt to create a domestic environment with military objects inserted inside. In the installation he made this semester, inviting the viewer to take a seat alongside the sculptures and focus their gaze. He wants people to be able to have a better understanding of his personal experiences and military life as he experienced them, performing his ritual of remembrance. In Andrew's work, there is an uncanny aspect. The psychological experience of something as strangely familiar rather than mysterious. An experience that may describe incidents where an everyday thing or event is encountered in an unsettling way. In Andrew's work, It is not the ordinary that makes us feel strange, it is bringing heavy metaphorical objects representing death and injury into the familiar space.

"My military experience has given me the awareness that true success happens when a team of individuals passionate about achieving the same goal serves together to accomplish their mission. Transitioning from military life is difficult for a myriad of reasons. The loss of such a team-oriented culture is one of the aspects I miss most about service. Utilizing multiple materials and methods in my studio practice allows me to create a dialogue about service and the unique atmosphere. Using a variety of processes allows me to work with a diverse team towards a common goal."