The Craft of Existential Echoes The life of Horace Clifford Westermann reads with the cinematic intensity of a mid-century American epic, a journey marked by profound turbulence and unparalleled artistic precision. Born in Los Angeles in December 1922, Westermann’s early years were shaped by a natural aptitude for creation, manifesting in everything from personal toys to intricate sculptures. However, it was the crucible of war that would forever etch its mark upon his soul and his subsequent creative output. Serving as an anti-aircraft gunner aboard the USS Enterprise during World War II, h…