Zoological Egg Rest

The Zoological Egg Rest is located at the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, North Carolina. It is one of the nearly 80 works of art the Zoo eventually hopes to bring to the Park.

The Zoological Egg Rest can be found beside the pond in the North American Wetlands section. It was created by Horace Farlowe in 1994 and is composed of white marble from Georgia.

In the next slide, you will see the Zoological Egg Rest sculpture. You may look at the art work as long as you like. Raise your hand when you are finished looking at the sculpture.

You were timed to see how long you looked at the art work.

Understanding a work of art takes both viewing time and thinking time. Look at the sculpture again. As you look at the sculpture this time, think about the following question:

QUESTION 1 What did you think of when you first saw this sculpture?

On your chart, list the reaction each person in your group has to the sculpture.

QUESTION 2 What do you see in this sculpture?

Have each person in your group describe one thing about the sculpture. Write your observations on your chart.

QUESTION 3 What stands out most about the sculpture? How do you think the artist has drawn your attention in the sculpture?

Identify the places in the sculpture to which your attention is drawn. List them on your chart.

QUESTION 4 What does this work of art mean to you?

Talk about the things that you listed in question 2 (the things you noticed in the sculpture). These are the attributes the artist chose to portray the Zoological Egg Rest. Discuss the possible significance of each attribute. List them on your chart.

QUESTION 5 What questions do you have about this picture?

List your questions on your chart.

Read the things you listed on your chart. You have spent viewing time and thinking time interpreting the sculpture.

Imagine that you are the artist who created the Zoological Egg Rest. Write a story that describes what you are trying to say in the sculpture. What message do you want to get across to the people who view your sculpture? Your sculpture is not protected behind a fence or enclosure. Why is it important for your sculpture to be touched? Is there any significance for the placement of your sculpture near the pond in the North American Wetlands?