Evolution of a Vantage Point 4/4

About Evolution of a Vantage Point 4/4

Roch Smith’s inspired bronze sculpture is a clever ‘play’ on a popular saying. “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” (Sir Isaac Newton) This metaphor suggests that ideas rarely come from just one person alone, and dates back to the ancient Greeks. According to mythology, the giant Orion used to travel with his servant on his shoulders to help him see.

A tower of men, dressed in suits— stand on each other’s shoulders the largest on the bottom—each successive figure smaller than the other. Smith used what is called the Fibonacci sequence –a mathematical equation often found in nature (number of petals in a flower, the spiral of a snail’s shell) to select appropriate heights for each figure. Each number is the sum of the two numbers that precede it—the height of each figure runs 2,3,5,8, 13, 21 and 34 inches.

“Each figure sees a different vista with perhaps the smallest figure seeing the largest possible view, however each has his own unique experience. I believe that most of the time it is not possible to achieve great heights without relying on the support of others. Mass culture loves to extoll the narrative of the singular genius but our lived experience tells us that we are stronger when we act together.” Roch Smith

Edition 4/4 is the last edition available of this bronze sculpture.

He received a BFA (Honours Sculpture) from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (ECIAD - 1997) and an MFA from York University (2003). A teacher as well as an artist, he has taught classes at the University of Waterloo, ECIAD and York University. He currently manages and operates the bronze and aluminum foundry at York University. Roch Smith has exhibited throughout Canada and in the US. His work is included in private, corporate and museum collections.