About
Jene Highstein’s Old Temple, 1991, is a cylindrical form made from western cedar, reminiscent of a primordial totem. Juxtaposed between natural associations and abstract shapes, Highstein’s influences range from stone-age tools and ceremonial objects to ancient deities. As the title suggests, Old Temple’s formation alludes to cultural rudiments of religious rituals—with a slender arch entryway offering a perfect place for a shrine. Old Temple’s organic form is juxtaposed with two other shapes—a carved rectangle opening, slightly hidden in the back and a prominent arch carved in the front. Highstein states: “my sculptures are centered on a continuous search for new forms.”
Courtesy of Laumeier Sculpture Park.
Dimensions: 14′ x 3′ x 3′
Year Completed: 1991
Material: Western red cedar
Owner: Loan courtesy of the artist
