Triton by Manuelita Brown
In
the University of California San Diego, there are many wonderful sculptures
such as the Bear by Tim Hawkinson. In
2008, the school revealed to the public a 750-pound bronze sculpture of the
campus’ school mascot, the Triton by
Artist Manuelita Brown. UCSD’s Triton floats
self-importantly while holding his pitch fork and conch shell. It is located at
the bottom of the steps at the Price Center East where students socialize, eat
and do homework. Looking confident, the three-dimensional bronze sculpture is
an important part of the school’s campus. Triton is known as the trumpeter of
the deep sea and the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. He is a merman who has a
toned muscular body of a human and a tail of a fish. He always carries his
three ponged spear and his conch shell which he blows like a trumpet to control
and calm the sea.
Being the University of California
San Diego mascot and the son of the god of the sea, Poseidon, it is expected
for Triton to have masculinity characteristics or physical attributes due to
the fact that he has to command and control the sea. The body addresses the
ideas about the essence of humanity and cultural ideals. For example, the arms
symbolize the ability to love, give, take, and defend. Little details of the
arm such as muscle can determine the symbolic meaning. A person with muscular
biceps has strength to love, give, take, and defend someone or something. Relating
to the Triton, his muscular arms give him the strength to defend the sea. In
artwork, arms give the viewer’s something to observe then interpret.
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