August 1992. Granite, painted steel. Dimensions: 9'h x16'w x6'd.
Collection: Jeresy City State College
Reconsidering Sisyphus (1992) was commissioned for Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University) as a monumental sculpture exploring one of humanity's oldest and most enduring myths. Drawing inspiration from the story of Sisyphus, John Van Alstine transforms the ancient tale from one of futility into a meditation on perseverance, renewal, and the human capacity to confront seemingly impossible challenges. Granite and steel combine in a dynamic composition that suggests both the weight of the stone and the energy required to move it.
Rather than illustrating the myth literally, Reconsidering Sisyphusinvites viewers to reconsider its meaning. The sculpture proposes that purpose is found not in reaching the summit, but in the continual act of striving. This early exploration of the Sisyphus theme foreshadowed Van Alstine's later Sisyphean Circle series, in which the ancient narrative became a central metaphor for resilience, creativity, and the enduring optimism of the human spirit.
MORE INFO: Reconsidering Sisyphus chapter in AMERICAN MONUMENTS
August 1992. Granite, painted steel. Dimensions: 9'h x16'w x6'd.
Collection: Jeresy City State College
Reconsidering Sisyphus (1992) was commissioned for Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University) as a monumental sculpture exploring one of humanity's oldest and most enduring myths. Drawing inspiration from the story of Sisyphus, John Van Alstine transforms the ancient tale from one of futility into a meditation on perseverance, renewal, and the human capacity to confront seemingly impossible challenges. Granite and steel combine in a dynamic composition that suggests both the weight of the stone and the energy required to move it.
Rather than illustrating the myth literally, Reconsidering Sisyphusinvites viewers to reconsider its meaning. The sculpture proposes that purpose is found not in reaching the summit, but in the continual act of striving. This early exploration of the Sisyphus theme foreshadowed Van Alstine's later Sisyphean Circle series, in which the ancient narrative became a central metaphor for resilience, creativity, and the enduring optimism of the human spirit.
MORE INFO: Reconsidering Sisyphus chapter in AMERICAN MONUMENTS
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