In the 2025 fall semester, students in Beginning Sculpture classes stepped out of the art studio and into the towering, 80-foot former rice silos at Sawyer Yards to tour the Sculpture Month Houston exhibition. Titled “Re-Figurations,” the show consisted of 17 artworks (made by mostly local artists) that speak to the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and humanity. The result was a thought-provoking experience that broadened students’ perceptions of art, technology, and the world around them.

Upon their arrival at the silos, students were met by the exhibition curator, Volker Eisele, who explained the exhibition’s central question: How is AI reshaping what it means to be human? Then, he guided the boys through the silos to view the artworks. The diverse sculptures represented a wide variety of media and interpretations of the theme, but all sparked curiosity and debate. Student Zade Khalifa ’28 observed that “artists seem to be more afraid of AI than other people.” Luke Anders ’27 found himself contemplating the future and stated that “[Humans] are evolving into a hybrid with artificial intelligence, and the museum showed us what it could mean.”

In addition to the philosophical content of the exhibition, the trip served as a masterclass in modern sculpture. The boys encountered works made of diverse materials, including machinery, straw, water, and even “trash.” Santiago Figueroa ’27 summarized this expanded perspective: “I learned that art is much more than just clay and cardboard. It also displays deeper meanings in a different way than reading and writing, which I am not used to seeing.” Art teacher Lauren Cunningham noted that the projects she teaches in Beginning Sculpture largely focus on functional design, so one reason for the field trip was to remind the boys that the ultimate goal of art is to communicate ideas.

The field trip was as much about promoting community as it was about curriculum. Students bonded as they navigated the eerie and massive environment of the Silos and shared their interpretations and discoveries. Whether they were kneeling in front of interactive mirrors or debating the meaning of a spinning marionette, the experience strengthened the group. As William Clinton ’27 reflected, the highlight was “seeing people express themselves through art… and having a great time bonding with my Eagle brothers and creating memories.”