First, I will address the impact that the physical appearance of the work has on the public, and why. The Upper Room is constructed from concrete with inlayed stone and glass mosaic. It is a large-scale sculpture, yet it is very welcoming to the eye of the public and not overpowering. The sense of feeling invited into the piece comes partly from the pastel pink color of the concrete and the mystery of the mosaic pattern that is inlayed into it. The artist's dynamic use of space also creates an inviting aura. There are steps leading up to a colonnade, which is not attached to an actual building. This is unusual when studying the history of architecture. The entire room was created by a series of surrounding columns, none of which are attached to any sort o

f wall or ceiling. The artist explained to me that he wanted to create an interior "room" as a part of the exterior environment he was given to display his work in. He wanted to create a space, rather then to create an object. He chose not to have an enclosed area, because that would make the work separate from the environment and the people in that environment as well.

The actual structure of The Upper Room has a sense of many different styles of architecture. It appears to have Gothic, Roman, Egyptian, Islamic, and, Medieval influences all combined to form a unique conglomerate of architecture. People of many different cultures can relate to the different types of architecture, which are noticeably present in this sculpture. Bringing together different cultures and styles into one work of art is a reflection of American society. The relatively, diverse group of people who come into contact with The Upper Room are all connected, in a sense, by the work of art. There are many differences in culture between the people of America, and the people of other areas of the world such as Europe. The artist explained that Americans are very fast paced and do not take the time to relax, as do people in other countries. With this in mind, this sculpture was created as a way to bring leisure and relaxation into a busy schedule. It was created as a way for the public to escape from the "hustle and bustle" of city life. The artist focused on making this "room" a whimsical and enjoyable place for the entire community to share.

The Upper Room also embodies religious influences, which are not so direct as the historic architectural influences. A church or temple, are both areas of worship and respect. The artist said that he added symbols of religious meaning to the work to evoke shared values of the public. Rather then using traditional symbols of religion, he chose a tree. There are two palm trees in the "room" they function as symbols of personal growth. These two parts of the sculpture are th

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