Mark di Suvero's Studio

No matter how far we try to escape Elmira, it always seems to follow!  Today we got the chance to not only meet Mark di Suvero, but had the opportunity to explore his studio in Queens.  Chris Yockey '98, an assistant to di Suvero, an Elmira College Alumni and an inspiring sculptor gave us a tour of di Suvero's studio and art, as well as his own.  It's amazing to see how far a former Elmira College student has gone when not too long ago he was in the exact place we are today, proving that through all the hard work, great success can be accomplished.

The process di Suvero goes through to make a piece is a work of art in itself. Plasma cutters, grinders, and welding are all a part of making both his small and gargantuan pieces. Most of his sculptures are hands on and mobile for viewers, making it all that much more engaging. Some of them had the ability to be taken apart and reconstructed to the viewers liking which I found to be bold for an artist. Even with the large pieces, di Suvero puts them together and takes them apart using a crane until he is satisfied with it as a final piece of work.  The skill it takes to interpret and successfully incorporate the center of gravity for the piece to balance and move, along with such large cuts of titanium I found astounding.

After our visit, I cannot wait to see what other inspiring directions artists have taken.

-Gina Maffei

Works By Mark di Suvero

Works By Chris Yockey

Chris Yockey '98 showing the center of gravity on di Suvero's smaller works.

Chris, Gina, Chrisina, Jamieson 

Left: Steel Interlocking Puzzle

 Middle: Chrs Yockey's Model

Right: Bronze Reconstructable Piece 

Marc Dennis, Chris Yockey, Mark di Suvero

View from Mark di Suvero's Studio

Christina, Julia, and Renee watching sculpture rotate in the wind.