Artwork copyright Hu Hung-Shu. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Hu Hung-Shu. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Hu Hung-Shu. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985 (detail).

Artwork copyright Hu Hung-Shu. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Hu Hung-Shu. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Artwork copyright Hu Hung-Shu. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1985.

Diminished Seven in Space, 1985

Hu Hung-Shu
(American, born 1935, died 2015)

Location: Marcus Whitman Junior High, Port Orchard

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Diminished Seven in Space is a prism-shaped, 28-panel suspended sculpture by artist Hu Hung-Shu. Using the light from the adjacent window, the mirror-finished surfaces reflect light and hue differently as the viewer's perspective changes. The title is a reference to the musical term "diminished seventh", a term for a specific interval, or distance between two notes. Speaking about the inspiration for this sculpture, Hung-Shu states: "the greatest beauty of youth is the irrepressible vitality that adapts to every nuance of life. The visual adaptability of the sculpture-- the fact that it makes use of the light in any conditions and of the colors and motions of life in the environment surrounding it-- and the constant liveliness of the images reflected in the surfaces will serve to bring this great feature of youth to the eyes and hearts of all observers."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with South Kitsap School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist and teacher Hu Hung-Shu (1935-2015) created paintings, sculpture, and public art installations. Born in Shanghai, China, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan and his Master of Fine Arts in Design from Cranbook Academy of Art in Michigan. He taught at the University of Iowa from 1968 until his retirement in 2003.