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Crimson Rage
Ethan Drew Carlson, 18, Student
Spirit Lake, IA
Ethan Carlson is exhibiting two pieces in Washington this year. Besides "Crimson Rage," Carlson, 18, produced a National Congressional Award-winning work that was chosen to hang in the Capitol Building. The University of Northern Iowa freshman says, "My art, it's been the biggest part of success for me. It has taken me places I thought I'd never see, and it's shown me things I thought I'd never know; and those are just some of the things that the beauty of art has to offer me – I plan to create things that will be remembered forever."
Visitors to Union Station are likely to remember "Crimson Rage": the massive entry incorporates over 2,000 cans in addition to diverse items including ornaments, swimming "noodles," trash can lids, and a television that broadcasts a wakeboarding event held in Carlson's home town. "It represents everything about me – I go big or I go home," the artist declares. Carlson used four types of heavy-duty saws to achieve his effect and hung his components from rafters to position them. Looking back on the process, he shares, "There are more hours on this piece than half of my whole art portfolio. The best experience was driving it to Philadelphia [for submission] and seeing the East Coast and part of the United States, which was incredible." |