The eyes start at the bottom. They follow three red, curved edges up to a group of white, then to a group of red and end at another group of white. The eyes are at the top of the structure, overlooking the surroundings and seemingly endless environment. But the path is simple — the only way to go is down.

The eyes follow the downward motion and alternating patches of red and white like a train on a rollercoaster rushing to the end. Three symmetric flowers with six petals each greet the eyes as they come to a sudden halt. One is sky blue, the other is turquoise and the final flower is purple.

“It’s a communications tower that’s been hybridized with a plant. The dishes are now flowers, and the tower is drooped to the ground under their weight,” said Eric Troffkin, the artist behind the sculpture.

His piece, “Extra-Terrestrial,” was inspired by the towers and communications equipment seen along the highways and on top of buildings. The tower structures are usually red and white and hold satellite dishes or power lines near the top.

“My goal is to get you to notice them, too, when you’re out driving or wherever. In order to do that, I make fanciful versions,” said Troffkin, 44.

The red-and-white tower is steel and was bent and welded to form the drooping section. The flowers, or dishes, are urethane plastic. They were made from two or three prototyped shapes drawn out on a computer using the 3-D design software SolidWorks. Troffkin used a 3-D printer to print the objects, corrected their surfaces, and then made a mold to make multiple parts.

“I try very hard to eliminate any evidence of where I might have touched the object,” Troffkin said.

As the tallest piece in the Faculty Exhibition — it stands at around 112 inches — a visitor to the Art Department Gallery in the Art Building would not be able to miss it. While Troffkin suggests that this piece “may be one of the silliest things” he’s made, he firmly believes the real towers remain objects to be seen and noticed.

Approximately 30 other faculty members participated in this year’s exhibition, which runs through Dec. 3, with artwork ranging from reconstructed clothing to Troffkin’s manufactured sculpture.

Participating artist and faculty member Maureen Vachon provided her colored-pencil artwork, “Slam” to the exhibition, which, as she stated, “draws on comic strips, caricatures and altarpieces to take a jaundiced look at how and to whom women direct their aggression.”

As with Troffkin, many of the artists want the viewer to take a long look at the artwork they’re providing to the exhibition and to make their own conclusions or references.

“I hope viewers will take the time to look at my work to wonder, contemplate and hopefully be touched in some way that I can’t predict,” said Jim Nawara, who teaches oil and watercolor painting at Wayne State.

Ryan Standfest, who also participated in the Faculty Exhibition, mentioned the importance of students being able to see the work of their professors outside of the classroom and in a gallery setting. It’s a demonstration of how the fundamentals taught in class are further explored in the real world.

“When I was a student, I had always marveled at how the personality of each of my professors could consistently be gleaned in the work itself. There’s a real thrill in witnessing that translation of the self into images, which I think can enliven a student’s awareness of their own voice,” Standfest said.

Many students also appreciate faculty exhibitions because it allows them to see their professors for what they truly are — practicing artists. Students are able to see the passion of their professors portrayed in the artwork on display.

“As far as I know, you’re only going through this world once. Follow your dreams and be willing to work very hard to achieve them. Learn what you can, even if at times you feel somewhat out of your comfort zone. You’ll never know what you’re truly capable of unless you take that leap of faith and push yourself,” said Diane Drumb, who provided her artwork, “Horses,” to the exhibit.

Troffkin’s “Extra-Terrestrial” explores a well-known theme — the combination of natural and man-made.

“The title came to mind. (It’s) something about plants being terrestrial, and technology looking beyond what is natural,” Troffkin said.

As the eyes make their way along the full sculpture, they begin to wonder if what they’re seeing is familiar or completely foreign.