Wendell Castle And Albert Paley Receive The George Eastman Medal

>> JOEL SELIGMAN: The Eastman Medal is named in honor of our city's greatest benefactor. The medal recognizes individuals who, through their outstanding achievement and dedicated service, embody the high ideals for which the university stands, and clearly an appreciation of art is one of our ideals. >> GRANT HOLCOMB: Wendell Castle is an international figure in American art. Over the past five decades he has created a distinguished body of work that has transcended ideas of form and function, embraced the internal and the ephemeral, and celebrated the human spirit of invention and innovation. He is an original American master. >> JOEL SELIGMAN: Wendell Castle - the University of Rochester recognizes your distinguished achievement as an artist who has given us new ways of envisioning our world and awards you the George Eastman Medal. Congratulations! [applause] >> WENDELL CASTLE: I believe an artist is someone who does something for the first time, and it must touch someone else. It's not art of the world, or at least a tiny portion of it, if it isn't transformed in some way. It's not art if it's not generous, and most of all, it's not art if there is no risk. No one accomplishes anything of importance without the help of others. I have stood on the shoulders of many. Often, I end my remarks with my ten adopted rules of thumb, but I think today maybe a number eleven would be appropriate. Which is, if you ever see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he didn't get there by himself. [laughter] Thank you so much. [applause] >> GRANT HOLCOMB: Mr. President, I have the honor to present Mr. Albert Paley for the George Eastman medal. Albert Paley has recast our understanding of metal as a medium. A true master artist, Mr. Paley has not only reshaped what it means to forge iron into art, but he has also demonstrated a vision that has altered our appreciation of sculpture and architecture. In pioneering new ideas about the plasticity of his materials, Mr. Paley has reimagined the ways in which we connect with the world around us and with one another. Mr. Paley has helped transformed our notion of art from a private object to a public celebration. >> JOEL SELIGMAN: Albert Paley - the University of Rochester recognizes your distinguished achievements and outstanding dedication and awards you the George Eastman Medal. [applause] >> ALBERT PALEY: Over the years, Rochester has been incredibly supportive of my work - in education and also my artistic production in my studio. Fortunately, I've had the opportunity to do some major works in Rochester: Bausch and Lomb, RIT, and also here at the Gallery as well. And also Klein Steel, which I've dealt with for years. With the dedication of this sculpture park and with this honor, I'm very pleased and thank you all. [bell chimes] A production of the University of Rochester. Please visit us online and subscribe to our channel for more videos.