Caro Sculpture Analysation

'Childs Tower Room'

How does it make you feel?
The sculpture makes me feel excitement as it relates to a happy time in my childhood.

Why do you think Caro chose this material?
I think he chose this material because it may be easier to construct with and helps with an abstract feel.

How do you think he started the piece? How has it developed?
Caro started this piece because he got given a brief to make a room to be shown in Liberty's department store on Regent Street so he made the Childs Tower Room.

Was the sculpture based on reality or imagination?
Caro's 'Child's Tower Room' was an imaginative idea 'I thought why not do a room that children can experience in a physical way'.

Does it remind you of anything?
The sculpture reminds me of a Helter-skelter; this is because of its rounded structure. Also because of the various stairs that lead inside.

How is it different to see art in a gallery compared to on the internet?
It is different because in a gallery, you can physically see the art and its scale. Rather than reading about it you can analyse it yourself.

Do you like the artwork? Why?
I do like this piece of artwork because of its form and size. I also like it because it is interactive and how such a simple structure could bring someone such happiness.

What do you think it means ?
I think the sculpture means to capture childhood since it is available for under 10s to climb on it.

What would you change about it?
If I could change this piece of art, I would change the colours. Although since the sculpture is made from Japanese Oak, that is obviously part of the sculpture's identity therefore it would take a lot away from the minimalistic feel of it.

If you could display the artwork anywhere else, where?
I would put the artwork in a children's school or play area as Caro designed the sculpture for children to explore and the experience in a more physical way other than to just at it in a gallery.

How had it been made?
I think the 'Child's Tower Room' was made by a mechanical process as it would be difficult to create those shapes by hand.

How long did it take to make?
The sculpture took one year to make; although I think that Anthony Caro wad thinking of the idea for the design for a while before.

What materials were used?
The materials used to make the sculpture was Japanese Oak.

What kind of marks/ texture can you see in the surface?
From a distance you can tell that there are some miner detail to the surface. However, close up it is evident that there are many details within the surface. Also the bolts fixing the wood together, are left seen to the audience; this suggests that Caro wanted to keep his design simple and his audience to see the process that the sculpture has been through.

Has Caro used a limited or varied colour palette?
Caro has used a limited colour palette since he has only used wood. This may be because he thought the sculpture didn't need colour as it was aimed towards a younger audience and may take away from the messages from the sculpture.

How would the mood of the artwork change if it contained different colours?
I think the mood of the artwork would change if  it was bright coloured. If it was bright green for example, the colour would massively take away from the meaning of the sculpture as it isn't about the colour and the colour doesn't provide the message.

What can you see from different angles?
From all angles of the sculpture's base, you see many different entrances to the piece causing it seem more like a sculpture in a children's park than a sculpture in a gallery.

Why do you think Caro works on this scale?
I think Caro works on this scale to make it seem more like an exploration for a young child. Where as if the sculpture was half the size, it wouldn't seem like an exciting adventure for a child.

If the piece were placed outside, how would its appearance change?
I think it would benefit the piece by placed outside as it seems more adventurous than the sculpture being in an inside space. However, the weather conditions of the outside would damage the Japanese Oak of the sculpture.



Childs Tower Room -1983/1984
Japanese Oak, varnished
Barford Sculptures Ltd
Caro remembered his thoughts when making this sculpture, recalling.
'In 1983 four artists were each asked by the Arts Council to make a room to be shown in Liberty's department stone on Regent Store on Regent Street and I made the 'Childs Tower Room'. I thought why not do a room that children can experience in a physical way...in some ways  the 'Child's Tower Room' is like a tree house; it has portholes, entrances small enough to squeeze through, steps you can squat under. it is a way of learning about the space you inhabit'.