Title

 

Subtext

Amber Cowan (American, born 1981)
Willie the Mouse with Tractor and Train, 2023

Flameworked glass, found glass, wire, painted aluminum
24 × 19 1/2 × 10 1/2 inches
Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, 2023.008.1. © Amber Cowan

I like how this song talks about moths and butterflies, new and old, merging the two, similar to how Amber Cowan made this piece. She took vintage glass pieces and didn’t change them but merged them with her own creativity to create something new and unique. To go more into that, the word "merge" means to combine, unite, or blend two or more things into a single, uniform whole. I see how these 2 artists create very different kinds of art but still give the same message through their forms.

The music is giving a lighter beat mixing into a faster tempo, then it goes to a very childhood-like bounce beat. I see how this corresponds to the piece because just taking a look, you can grasp it has that silly childlike aesthetic to it. Maybe a little mischievous in the sense of one thing doesn’t really fit into that piece! We see toys, flowers, mushrooms, leaves, bright colors, pearls, and cute little details! Then there’s a giant cake stand right in the middle! Very curious and silly, just like the beat to this song!

—Josephine Doll

This song makes me feel so calm and a bit curious at the same time, which reminds me of this artwork because of the soft colors in it and how you always have something new to focus your attention on. It keeps the looker intrigued and more curious.

This song and artwork also makes me wonder a lot of things about the artwork and the artist, like what were the artist's inspirations for this, and how long does the process take? Does it ever get tiring? Does every piece feel like the first time? How long did it take before one of their artwork got recognized for what it was?

—Sahara Ali