Look! We're all walking upside down on the crystal planets we also walk among.

Ryan Gander's piece was an incredibly unique way of capturing the element of chance that still exists in our lives today. Although we have made many attempts throughout history to dictate the world around us and to determine the future, we still do not have complete control. Ryan Gander's piece illustrates the beauty of unpredictability in life. His piece reminds us that sometimes the most creative ideas come from coincidence. There is something incredibly captivating in the idea that we really don't have complete control. Surprises in everyday life make living interesting and open the door for new opportunity. When looking at Ryan Gander's glass balls however, I couldn't help but notice a distinct irony in his work. While he plays with the ideas of incident and chance, his glass balls themselves are of a very symmetrical design. Certainly the symmetry of his glass balls is what makes them beautiful and enchanting. But why would he juxtapose such a perfect shape with the idea of incongruity in life? Perhaps Ganders is highlighting the peace of mind that results when we leave things to chance. Some things in life cannot be forced. Like an idea. We must live life with a mind open to new ideas because it is the unpredictability in life that gives life its true balance and beauty.

I like this piece for its innocent beauty and its ability to make me slow down and think. Gander was inspired by an everyday event that I would never notice. The couple of seconds that it took for the paper to fall to the floor moved him to spend time and energy to make art. It’s amazing that he can find a perfect moment in such an ordinary event. It makes me wonder if I’m concentrating too much on work and school that I’m skipping out on other just as important things. Sometimes, I just think that we should all calm down and try to notice the everyday beauty in life. Then at the end of the day, we will have something to remember and enjoy. This piece also made me ponder about the significance of decisions. What do we choose to remember as important and why do we remember those times? Are we rushing through life way too fast to actually think about what’s the most meaningful path?

In my opinion, this piece is one of the most captivating in the show. Not only each individual crystal ball itself, but also the collection and orientation of all 40 balls together. The first time I saw them, scattered across the floor of the gallery, I thought they looked like marbles left strewn about in an abandoned game. However, upon further inspection the etched sheet of paper within each ball could be seen. The etching in each crystal ball is not visible from certain angles, which seems to encourage closer inspection of the piece and objects around in general.
Gander's choice of title (A sheet of paper on which I was about to draw, as it slipped from my table and fell to the floor) and his decision to memorialize that particular moment showcases the opportunities and potential that are present for discovery and creation of art every day. This piece was especially significant to me as someone who dabbles in both art and writing, as it emphasizes the potential of humans to create something sensational. Perhaps something of a return to Enlightenment ideas, with the infinite potential of man, Gander's piece is a tribute to human ability and the opportunities that are sometimes missed.

I enjoy the idea of chance. Over the years there have been many many ways in which artists have captured and explained and physically made tangible the idea of chance. In my opinion though very few have done it as simply, effectivly, and beautifully as Ryan Gander. This piece reminds us that even little things that we take forgranted have all the power to be as powerful as the things we hype up to be important. This piece just reminds me to not take even little chances for granted.

Chance though does not have to be such a seriouse nail biting gamble though. Chance is a beautiful fluid thing that we deal with knowingly or unknowingly everyday. Gander's choice to use simple crystal balls with etchings I think also speak well to the idea of chance. There is a chance you could miss the etchings and just be entranced by the crystals. You could walk by the piece and think nothing more other then it was "pretty" or "serene" and totally miss the meaning. There is that chance just as there is the chance the now immortalized paper falling off the desk could have not sparked such a beautiful piece.

I enjoy the idea of chance. Over the years there have been many many ways in which artists have captured and explained and physically made tangible the idea of chance. In my opinion though very few have done it as simply, effectivly, and beautifully as Ryan Gander. This piece reminds us that even little things that we take forgranted have all the power to be as powerful as the things we hype up to be important. This piece just reminds me to not take even little chances for granted.

Chance though does not have to be such a seriouse nail biting gamble though. Chance is a beautiful fluid thing that we deal with knowingly or unknowingly everyday. Gander's choice to use simple crystal balls with etchings I think also speak well to the idea of chance. There is a chance you could miss the etchings and just be entranced by the crystals. You could walk by the piece and think nothing more other then it was "pretty" or "serene" and totally miss the meaning. There is that chance just as there is the chance the now immortalized paper falling off the desk could have not sparked such a beautiful piece.

Wow, I didn't even see the image - the docents were yelling at everyone to "don't touch" and "sir, please don't move that" or "watch your step." Entering the exhibit hall, I did not see a marker to tell me what these balls were for. I watched others interact with the balls in all varied ways. Then, it struck me that maybe that was the point. I saw one teen look as if he was going to kick one, but didn't. I then wondered if he treated humans like that, if he was a sort of bully, picking on something smaller than himself. I saw a man stand over one with feet on either side, in a dominating way. I wondered if he did that to others, or just to others that he could. Then, I saw many others, the majority, being very careful and trying to understand, to see. I hoped that this is how most of us actually treat others, treat the world. I thought that was the point of the piece - the delicate nature of things, of art, of people, and the way others either are careful with those things, or take advantage of their dominance or power over them. That was also what made the piece stand out to me - one of the more memorable pieces/experiences.

This art work is fantastic! These crystal balls are such a different piece of art work to look at, instead of your typical canvas painting. The artists paper falling off the desk was so cool how he positioned the one peice of paper to look as if it was falling in all different directions. It was kinda fun. You had to watch your step and make sure you did not run into one of the crystal garden. This piece really inspired me. :)

Megan from Brentwood High School

This is one of the most breathtaking pieces in the exhibit. The scattered orbs are just there, sharing the space with great paintings. The fact that these orbs seem to be part of the normal surroundings add to the overall ethereal quality, since I believe the bent paper inside all the orbs are ideas. They are ideas that either have yet to be hatched, or ideas that will never see the clear air. They are eternally discarded or just not fully formed yet, but either way they are vague. Frail. So the glass orbs protect them from the realities of the world. And we pass them by. The ideas are everywhere, excellent ideas, terrible ideas, inquisitive thoughts yet to be thought. And we pass them by. I feel Ryan Gander is possessing us with a superhuman perspective by showing us these ideas, for the concept (in my opinion) is to indicate that these orbs are on the street, in the subway, in all of our houses. We just can't see them. But in this one place - in this house of art, which is most fitting - we can realise the remnants of unfulfilled potential.

This was a truly wasted space. It represents people who have no clue of who they are or what they are doing. Please take your balls and leave the space for real artists!

i for one am a fan of crystals even though i don't get how they where made or how earth was madeby anything other than god i am the one to look at the bueaty of mother natures wonder full creations