Artwork of the Week: March 24
Welcome, Spring!
An artwork with “spring” in the title may conjure up images dominated by the color green, but that is not how John Held, Jr. approached it. Instead, he made a map. The above Map of Spring does not chart out an actual geographic location, but is a playful take on what the season brings. Held whimsically defines spring by actions, events, and objects. For example, at “A Picnic,” a few people gather around a blanket topped with food and drinks. Yet nearby, an opened can, smaller shapes (presumably garbage), and matted grass are labeled “The remains of a picnic.” The usual spring suspects are scattered throughout the map: trees, birds, pussy willows, and the words, “tweet-tweet! Spring is here! tweet-tweet!” Even love has a dedicated spot. Some spring references are more subtle, like the city dump that is more frequented with spring cleaning, or the tractor on the road that will get more use again. In addition to these cartographical markers, hot dogs and gas stations can be seen at every turn. Look closely—what other jokes can you find hidden in John Held, Jr.’s map? How does this compare to your memories of and associations with spring?
Map of Spring will be on view at the BYU Museum of Art until April 26, 2025.
