Page 1 of 5
“Interactive Learning”
as described by sculptor
Donna Dobberfuhl
When I started formulating a theme for the four
panels, it was my desire to take the designs to a
level beyond the literal. My goal was to take the designs and manifest depictions
of the mind and the images it forms as we read literature.
Because of the college’s close association to the natural surroundings, I used the
four elements as the foundation for each panel design, I then paired each element
to a unique human skill: fire and imagination; earth and wisdom; water and
contemplation; and wind and conversation
A large area of raised mosaic tile pattern serves to contain the design and guide
the viewer back into each panel again and again as well as to finalize the design
and bring continuity to all four panels. Each panel has that same mosaic panel
depicted in colors that are compatible with the chosen element of that panel.
Page 2 of 5
“Imagination: our bridge to infinite possibilities”
In the first panel, fire is paired with imagination:
Dobberfuhl on the elements of the panel:
a. One of the most powerful tools we have is imagination.
b. Fire is the instrument of change, thus imagination does cause change.
c. The right side of the panel depicts flickering flames dancing about. They move and flow
through the design.
d. Carved channels and ridges move the flickering flames from right to left. These channels and
ridges help guide the viewer to a recognizable for, “the figure”.
e. The figure is floating, a thing we can do only in our imagination, and reaches out for a spark
from the flames.
f. The sparks are little squares of mosaic tiles of varying sizes. There is an assortment of different
size squares of mosaic floating throughout the imagery.
g. The figure reaches for one of these squares of bright colors. The squares (sparks) are a
metaphor for the ideas that come about through reading, research, and observation and
develop through our imagination.
h. A variety of patterns and texture are carved and incised throughout the panel, creating
contrast and an imaginary plane of creativity.
i. The colors for the Panel of Imagination are oranges, reds, yellows, and translucent creams.
Page 3 of 5
“Wisdom: releasing the youth from the familiar to the unknown.”
In the second panel, earth is paired with wisdom:
Dobberfuhl on the elements of the panel:
a. Wisdom is a special gift of the mature mind
b. Wisdom can be attributed to a solid foundation, and expanse of time, and the strong rhythms
of the earth.
c. The earth element is carried by the images of pine trees. The branches reach toward the
wisdom figure.
d. The wisdom figure is seated, a metaphor for the solidness of the earth.
e. As the viewer examines the panel from left to right, the familiar changes to the unfamiliar.
f. The youth is released by wisdom and goes forth into the unknown.
g. The carved and incised panels in the background are a mixed placement of random mosaic
tiles, representing the unfamiliar.
h. From the solid rhythms of knowledge and wisdom to the unexplored paths that the youth will
take, the design employs the strength of the familiar and moves to the yet unknown patterns
of learning guided by the figure of wisdom.
i. The mosaic colors used for the Panel of Wisdom are terra cotta, browns, greens, oranges, and
blues. This mix of colors depicts the broad pallet that is found in nature thus of the earth.
Page 4 of 5
“Conversation: a vehicle for knowledge”
In the third panel, wind is paired with conversation:
Dobberfuhl on the elements of the panel:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Conversation or speech is a unique quality we employ. It is our major form of communication.
Words flow freely, whether it is a one on one conversation or over the vastness of the internet.
Both conversation and the wind are bold, soft, and forever continuous.
Words travel upon the patterns of the wind.
The figures are grand in scale as the wind has the ability to be grand in scale.
Clouds, seeds, birds, bees, and butterflies float upon the wind. The airflow itself is shown by
swirls, lines, and the sweeping movement of carved and incised patterns. Mosaic tile follows
the lines of the wind.
g. The mosaic colors for the Panel of Conversation are light blue, translucent and opaque creams,
grays, pinks, and other pastels. These soft colors are used to help depict the invisible nature of
the wind.
h. The movement, rhythms, and the ‘familiar of the air is paired with the abstract of the ‘word’ as
both flow upon patterns of the wind.
Page 5 of 5
“Contemplation: the invisible power behind discovery”
In the fourth panel, water is paired with contemplation.
Dobberfuhl on the elements of the panel:
a. When I think of contemplation, I think of the ability to allow for the mind to open to infinite
possibilities.
b. Water seems to be able to flow in an infinite amount of ways.
c. Without water (contemplation) all of life is without “life”.
d. Given time for contemplation, thoughts can flow unimpeded as the waterfall does.
e. The waterfall flows as the mind can flow with random thoughts and ideas spilling outward into the
rhythm of the patterned lines in the rest of the design.
f. The figure is in a casual pose. It leans against the wallmeditating or contemplating.
g. Different patterns carved and incised throughout the panel are used to depict water.
h. The mosaic tile follows the patterns of water and puts color and sparkle into the design, a metaphor
for the brilliant images manifested in contemplation.
i. Images of the aquatic life of the region are randomly placed upon swirls of the carved pattern.
j. The mosaic tile colors chosen for the Panel of Contemplation are the blues and greens found along
local beaches and in the Gulf of Mexico.
k. Blues and greens are easily paired with contemplation. They are soothing, calming, and pleasant to
mind. Contemplation has a soothing effect as does the patterns and sounds of water.