We are aware that majority of the Children's museum located in Downtown, San Diego is filled with a variety of interactive arts that pertain to all ages, specifically children. However, at the lowest floor of the museum, you will find an enormous vibrant table called Dinner T.V. This artwork is constructed by two San Diego based artists, Joe Yorty and John Brady. Despite the calamitous mass of the table, the warm contemporary colors including a contrast of bright colors on the table cloth is what truly catches the eye. This table cloth is silky, with a portrait of leafy vegetables and bright peppers, it is covering the olive green legs of the table. As you surround it, looking at each and every detail, you hear laughters; cries, and the sounds of children you begin to realize that there is more to the art than it seems. Underneath this massive sculpture, you lift up the cloth that embodies it and you see a cozy chair on the floor. You begin to trace after the sounds of what you heard and see traditional home videos played through projections of children and family eating. The artists strive to capture a collective portrait of the American family as the sculpture inspires unity, serenity, and the importance of family.
Other than love or trust, unity is what brings a family together. Though there is an I in family, one person is not enough to create that bond, that strong relationship that a family holds. A key design principle that aids this concept is the artists use of Mass and Volume. The mass of this sculpture is what brings out the art in this piece. At first approach the presence of mass is felt as the big strong legs of the table implies that it holds a lot of ground and stress. The volume of the art however is very wide, and whats magnificent about is the fact that you are able to perceive this volume by entering from underneath. Furthermore, the table is not the only object that creates mass, the size of the table cloth that covers it is extreme.
