6/1/2007
Artwork will draw community together on campus
BY JESSICA STARK
Rice News staff
Many have called Rice a quintessential university. It could be the stately trees, the pebble pathways or the gorgeous architecture. Soon there will be another feature to add to that list: the stunning artwork.
The Rice University Art Committee has been reorganized and added a university art curator [see related story] to take a more coordinated and coherent approach to art on campus. The committee underscores the Vision for the Second Century's (V2C) strategic priority to create a more vibrant and dynamic campus by incorporating art into the landscape and interior public spaces.
"Public artwork draws people together and engages them in discussions," said Raymond Brochstein '55, chair of the committee. "A university is a place for learning and development. Art encourages people to think in different ways and see the world with a new perspective."
The committee is charged with implementing a set of goals and principles for the art program; proposing and developing specific projects for new and existing campus spaces; making recommendations regarding potential donations of art; and effectively communicating the program to the Rice community.
The committee has many immediate goals, many involving a number of the construction projects on campus. A half of one percent of the construction budget for each new building has been allocated for acquisition of artwork. The committee will be working to select artists to be a part of the process and work in collaboration with building architects.
"We plan to have a whole range of projects that will take all forms of media, from freestanding sculptures to multimedia components to incorporating art into the building itself," said Jenny Strayer, the newly appointed art curator. "We want to take this already beautiful campus and give it new life with provocative, high-quality art."
A long-term goal of the committee is to establish an endowment to acquire art on a continual basis.
"The point of this committee is to ensure that from now on, art has a prominent presence on our campus. We will build that presence by bringing in pieces that will encourage meaningful intellectual, social and cultural interactions," Brochstein said.
Brochstein said the committee has already begun receiving suggestions of artists, artworks and locations.
"The committee is open to suggestions. We want to get people involved in this process and look forward to hearing ideas from our students, faculty, staff and neighbors," Brochstein said. "The art will certainly be a great amenity for all those who live and work in the area."
