Allison Mitchell

I stare in amazement as I sit before The World at Large: The Art Rosenbaum Mural at The University of Georgia Center for Humanities and Arts. Its engaging motion and vibrant color overwhelm me, as its universal theme invites me to personally interact with the characters portrayed and, in fact, become a part of the mural itself. Into the creation of this awe-inspiring work went over three months of work, three months of the life, emotions, and talent of Art Rosenbaum, an accomplished artist and instructor at the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia. In addition to creating a beautiful and expressive work of art, he has also managed to preserve a portion of his life that will continue to live on much longer than his body. He has, in a sense, insured his own immortality.

As a small child, Rosenbaum reports that he was always drawing, always fascinated with his uncle?s collection of twentieth century German paintings. His artistic nature was supported by his mother?s encouragement and his own ambitious nature, which is now very evident in his work, as he loves to undertake complex and difficult projects. He is interested in multiple types of art, especially personal expressions in which he deals with the ?issues of sex, violence, music, and alienation.? In fact, Rosenbaum reports that after viewing a showing of his work, a friend of his mother wrote her a letter that said, ?I?m sorry your son is so troubled and has such anguish in his life.? To this he laughs softly, ?I?m not a depressed man.? Instead, Rosenbaum simply revels in the passion that such issues stir. ?You have to connect with any art form.?

Art Rosenbaum is a highly involved individual, dabbling in traditional folk music, or ?root music,? and film work in addition to his painting and teaching. He also plays the banjo, guitar, and fiddle. After receiving an A.B. in Art History and an M.F.A. in Painting, he received a Fullbright for painting that took him to France. He has since written several books on Georgia musical traditions, painted numerous murals around the country, and was named the first Wheatley Professor in Fine Arts in 2001. Amazingly, he has managed to paint a mural as diverse as himself.

Dr. Betty Jean Craige, Director of the Center for Humanities and Arts and Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Georgia initially invited Rosenbaum to create the mural to represent the humanities and arts at the University of Georgia. She asked that it somehow show the Center for Humanities and Arts mission to increase cultural awareness and appreciation. Rosenbaum has managed to incorporate an immense amount of cultural diversity in his mural, which comes to a V shape at its center, designed to engage the viewer and cause the wall to appear visually deeper. Though many figures represented in the mural are friends, acquaintances, and students of Rosenbaum?s, he stresses that "It should not matter who?s in and who?s not in,? and that "figures represented merely stand in for others.?

Rosenbaum allows that his mural may be considered ?a representation of life?, and considers the wall ?an extension of human dimension/space that we occupy.? However, He stresses that the specifics of his work are just as important as the larger ideas and images. And what better way to observe the specifics of the mural than to witness its creation figure-by-figure, color-by-color. During the mural?s development, he held an open door policy for students, faculty, and community alike. Many instructors, including Rosenbaum, brought their students by to see the developing mural in its various phases.

Upon being asked how he advises undergraduate researchers to experience his art, as well as art in general, Rosenbaum replies, ?Look at it.? With this simple statement he tells undergraduates to ?consider the way the composition is built; think of form and content, then consider how the work resonates with their own experience.? He recommends that students of all disciplines take art appreciation or history classes. While art is often termed ?the universal language,? Rosenbaum feels that ?if you don?t know background, you may miss a large portion of the meaning.?

The World At Large is a breathtaking display of colors that presents diversity not only in culture, but also in interests, disciplines, and emotions. Every figure, every shadow, possesses meaning and adds something unique to the work. Even the mural?s title has its own story, as the late Gary Green, who was employed by the University?s Physical Plant, suggested it. According to Rosenbaum, near the completion of the mural, Mr. Green stopped by to view it and asked what it was called. Rosenbaum had not yet named the mural, and asked Mr. Green if he had any suggestions. It was Mr. Green who proposed that the mural be known as "The World At Large." For Art Rosenbaum, that name said it all.


Click on the image to view a high resolution version of the mural.

The content and opinions expressed on this Web page do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by the University of Georgia or the University System of Georgia.