Stan, Submerging Man

Finley Fryer with his piece Stan, Submerging Man

The piece of art I chose is entitled Stan, Submerging Man. He was created by Finley Fryer in 1999 for the use in a musical, “Stan’s Room” in northern California. Stan was then put on display for The Burning Man from August 30th to September 6th 1999 in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. His final installation was over five years later in SOMA Park in California from May of 2007 until April of 2008.
Finley Fryer has created many large scales pieces made of reclaimed materials. His work is often lit from within to provide a stained glass look. Like Stan, Submerging Man, other pieces of Fryer’s work had been featured at The Burning Man since 1998. His use of other people’s garbage for his work is a continuing challenge to the conventional assumptions on beauty.
Stan, Submerging Man stands at approximately 20 feet tall and weighs close to 2 tons. One of the reasons I chose this was because I found the thought of installations and non-permanent pieces of public art to be very interesting. Does the fact that the piece is only up for a short amount of time more significant and meaningful? Another reason I was drawn to Fryer’s Stan was because of it’s bright colors and the unique materials it is created from. Stan was created from primarily vintage 45 rpm records and recycled plastic, some from old children’s toys.
The subject of this form of art is simply Stan, Submerging Man. Like many other pieces created by Fryer, Stan is meant to give provide give a whimsical, approachable feel. The expression of the piece was quite a factor for its desire to be installed in SOMA Park. The park is in a rough part of the neighborhood with a jail and freeway close by. The goal of installing Stan was to make the park was to make this area a more beautiful place for children to grow up in. Also, because of size of Stan, he can be seen from the freeway to help publicize the fact that there is a neighborhood there. The two aspects that give Stan, Submerging Man the ambiance intended its bright colors and illumination. The bright colors are without a doubt attractive to children and the light coming from within provides a stain glass look which provides a sense of calmness and peace.
In my opinion, art is something created with intent to evoke a reaction or induce an emotion. Stan is definitely a piece to evoke a reaction or at the least a question… Why was he created? What is he made out of? I believe that Stan’s creation would best be described by Anderson’s emotionalist theory, although it could definitely fit into the formalist and instrumentalist theories as well. The reason I believe Stan, Submerging Man fits within the emotionalist theory because of my own response to this piece of art. As intended, Fryer’s piece gave me with a sense of wonderment and provided me with the thought of being in friendly company. The reason I said it could also be considered within the instrumentalist theory is because it was created with a specific intent of use. Lastly, Stan could be seen within the formalist theory because of the detailed aesthetic of the piece. The way the records and recycled pieces of plastic were combined in such a way to create the piece is significant in its own.
I do not believe this piece of art directly relates to any ancient forms of art. Because of Fryer’s interest in stained glass and his work with it in his younger years Stan, Submerging Man does share some resemblance to stained glass art, in the sense of the bright, illuminated colors.
After looking at this piece of art, and thinking about installations and temporary public art, I would like to know, do you think a temporary piece of public art holds more or less significance and why?

Sources Cited:
Black Rock Arts Foundation. "Stan: The Submerging Man — Black Rock Arts Foundation." Black Rock Arts Foundation . 18 Oct. 2009 .
"Laura Weil on Burning Man Stan coming to SOMA Park." Sparks. 1 Mar. 2007. 17 Oct. 2009 .
Sirota, Alex. "Flickriver." Flickriver - A new way to view Flickr photos and more.... 18 Oct. 2009 .