Measuring Compliance addresses my parental frustration with the current educational system.

Recycled materials including: wood floor, yardsticks, rulers, tin cans for "spelling list" on desk, canvas for custom made straight jacket, buckles, 3rd grade desk and chair, 10k. gold rivets. Printed banner and graphic.
Dimensions: 7.5'H x 10’W x 7’D

This sculpture is available for purchase or exhibition.

The above image depicts Harriete adjusting the straight jacket on the chair during the installation process. Contrary to what many often assume, Measuring Compliance is not a miniature but a life-sized sculpture. The chair and desk are appropriate dimensions for a student to sit in.

POSTERS or NOTECARDS are available for purchase. Put the poster up in your faculty lounge, give it to your child's teacher. Purchase the card and send it to your principal, administrator, governor, representative or U.S. President. Use the power of art to engage in the conversation.

Measuring Compliance Poster (18" x 12")
Available for purchase.

$10.00 plus $7.00 shipping.

California residents add sales tax.

Measuring Compliance Notecard (6’’ x 4.25’’)
Tri-fold card, opens twice, becoming 12.75’’ wide. Available for purchase with off white envelope included.

10 for $40.00 plus $10.00 shipping.

California residents add sales tax.

Facing into the corner, the third grade chair sits quietly at the desk. A straitjacket covers the chair symbolizing the necessity for students to conform for success in school. “Sit down and be quiet” and “follow the rules” are more important than creativity and independent thinking.

The bell curve used in Measuring Compliance and Pick Up Your Pencils, Begin is based off of an actual ACT Assessment Student Report.

The name of the student has been obscured for confidentiality but this is how students are compared to each other on standardized tests.

The floor of rulers, yardsticks and recycled wood is inscribed with quotes relating to academic achievement. The rulers recall an earlier era when students’ knuckles were rapped for disobedience or inattention. G.P.As and standardized test scores are today’s rulers for measuring performance of students, teachers and schools. Teaching towards testing constructs a bell curve of conformity.

The ultimate irony is that rulers and yardsticks can be used by artists in service of their creativity; scientists measure to expand the limits of our knowledge. When will our educational system expand the potential of our students rather than measure compliance?

Below is a fascinating presentation by Seth Godin about education.