Strange

I acquired a new camera recently through eBay. I was looking for something really small that I could carry with me at all times and ended up finding a Canon S200 Digital ELPH for a really good price. Since I received the camera, I've been noticing more things to of which I can take pictures. This prompted this photo.

Behind the main building of the newly renamed Speed School of Engineering, they've constructed this strange piece of "artwork." Made of steel beams and placed in front of the soon to be former Kersey Library, it simply seems out of place. As "art," I don't believe it really adds anything to the environment. It doesn't really inspire any thought or emotions other than one of wondering who would choose to construct such an ugly thing and place it on a university campus. But, the fact that it's on a campus probably answers that question. Most of the "art" on campus are nothing more than globs of metal that in some cases are actually meant to represent something. Minus the dancer in front of Ekstrom Library, there's nothing of any form or substance to speak of IMO on this campus. Now, a visit to the Speed Art Museum is another story. But that's another post entirely.

UPDATE: Dodd reminded me of the Rodin sculpture "The Thinker" that is in front of the administration building. If I remember correctly, it's one of the original castings done by Rodin himself. That is definately a piece of art.

Posted by Chris Short at April 21, 2004 06:54 PM

6 Comments

Derek Hall Apr 22, 2004 8:25 AM

What has become of my beloved speed scientific school! first the name and now this horrid attempt at ___(i can't even make my self say art). Thanks for keeping us posted with the new digital camera.

Randall Million Apr 22, 2004 11:37 AM

What of the "soon to be former Kersey library"? Are they ripping it down or just changing the name to suck out more money?

As for art on campus, I actually like the piece originally titled The Bull and The Bear.

Chris Apr 22, 2004 12:52 PM

They're expanding Ekstrom Library and moving the holdings in Kersey there. The building isn't going to be razed, but it's going to be used by the departments for more office and lab space. To my understanding CECS and the IE department have first choice.

Dodd Apr 22, 2004 11:31 PM

Did you forget the copy of Rodin's The Thinker in front of the Admin building?

Simoney Apr 27, 2004 1:36 AM

I thought the statue in front of Ekstrom was a runner, not a dancer. Oh well. :)

Andy Jun 7, 2004 4:36 PM

It is actually a teaching scuplture. It illustrates all the possible structural steel connections. I think it may look just fine once they landscape around it and its painted.