By Kyle Rieland
Artist Statement:
This sculpture represents the different faiths of soldiers that have died fighting for freedom for the
Untied States of America. It encourages people to see beyond their own beliefs of who is not standing
up for the U.S. 1.5 million soldiers serve in the US Military. There are 15,000 Muslim soldiers serving in
the U.S. Military. The latest statistics show in the Iraq/Afghanistan war 7 of the soldiers killed while
serving were of Muslim faith. This represents 4.6% of those serving of Muslim faith. On the opposite
spectrum, there are 420,000 Protestant soldiers. There were 1,605 Protestants killed while serving. This
only represents .38% of those serving. The crosses represent those portions of the faiths that have dies
while serving. You will notice there are five crosses that say Muslim, while only one of the other faiths.
This shows people to look outside the actual numbers serving, and look at the core of the
representation of the total population. The visual perception might be accurate, but the numbers speak
the truth. Remember that all faiths fight for our freedom in the United States. Just not your belief or
faith.
Principles of Design
Repetition: The crosses represent the different faiths proportionality to represent those who have died
while serving.
Unity: Is shown in the messages of the USA Military solider sign and several US Flags.
Contrast: The color of the grass and the color of the crosses are contrasting colors. This helps the
crosses stand out as well as the different faiths written on crosses.
Elements of Design
Texture: There is texture in the grass and the twine that has tied the crosses together. The grass has
different textures and heights..
Color: The flag standing in the background and the red, white, and blue colors in the front. This was to
help bring vibrancy and create a circle signifying the crosses as one united group.
Size: The crosses were created to be equal size and color. They are all white with black writing and tied
with twine.
Time in the Community:
The sculpture spent time at Central Minnesota Credit Union. I did have the opportunity to speak with
the Branch Manager in person. We discussed my sculpture and talked about the different faiths of the
US Soldiers and the findings .
Displayed at Central Minnesota Credit Union.
Creative Process:
The first thing I did was gather all the
supplies I needed. For the sculpture, I
used a wooden bowl, a piece of
styrofoam, moss, bamboo sticks,
paint, twine, flags, wooden dowel and
stickers.
First, I glued the styrofoam in the
bowl and then laid the moss over the
top. I then realized I made a mistake
and forgot to stick the lights in the
styrofoam first.
Here is the process taking place.
Towards the back of the picture, you
can see where I was making the
crosses. The crosses lying on the
carpet are the ones I wrapped with
wooden wire. I made the crosses out
of bamboo sticks that I cut.
I had to remove the moss and then
was able to stick the lights in the
styrofoam.
I then was able to lay the moss over
the lights.
I then laid the crossed out and
painting them. After I was done
painting them I wrote on the cross
what religious faith it represented.
I then pushed the crosses into the
Styrofoam so they would stay in
place.
Here is the final product. I added an
American flag in the background and
added a little sign in the foreground. I
then displayed this sculpture at the
Central Minnesota Credit Union.