Art all around

IU is a treasure chest of great artwork. Art adorns the campus on almost every corner, greeting students as they enter academic buildings in the form of sculptures. Though the sculptures are unique to IU, many of them go unnoticed and unappreciated. Students walk past them every day on their way to class without the slightest idea what they are looking at. There is the big red sculpture in front of the Musical Arts Center, the fountain in front of the School of Music, and few notice the carving on the side of Ballantine Hall. Though the art is part of students' daily lives, knowledge about the history of the artwork on campus brings new meaning to the daily walk to class. \nIn front of the MAC, located on Jordan Avenue across from Read Center, is an abstract red sculpture towering over the front lawn. The mysterious piece of art isn't just a big red mass of iron; it is a stabile, or abstract construction that is completely stationary. The piece, created by Alexander Calder, was described in a document in the IU Archives as a "monumental stabile."\nCalder was first a toy maker, then a mobile creator and then a world-famous sculptor of stabiles. This particular monument, named "The Peau Rouge Indiana," is 40 feet tall and made of nothing more than steel plates and square bolts. Its simplicity is stunning, providing an eye-catching accent against the stone-gray MAC building. \nFunded by Oscar Ewing, the sculpture was created in Calder's studio in France and reassembled here in Bloomington. A document in the IU Archives describes it as a dominant piece on the MAC lawn. \n"Calder's last stabile stands as if guarding the MAC and perpetuates vibrant spirit of fantasy, introducing all to the intriguing world of music and dance hidden inside the MAC's walls," the document reads. \nJust steps away from the MAC, the Frank E. McKinney Jr. Fountain spurts water that glistens next to Jordan Avenue. Though it was designed by landscape architects, this fountain is an integral piece of art on the southeast side of campus. This two-piece fountain represents a conductor and his orchestra and is perfectly placed in front of the Simon Music Center as inspiration for music students. The fountain creates an aesthetically pleasing environment while adding an element of fun.\n"It was definitely designed well," said senior Chris Durham. "One look at that fountain on a hot day and all I want to do is run through it."\nAt night when the chandeliers in the Simon Music Center are lit behind the fountains, beauty revels itself as the water splashes up and flows down over the steps that lead up to the actual orchestra. \nMusic student senior Ed Kim recognizes a more serious aspect of artwork on campus. \n"I think it is important that our surroundings reflect the standard of excellence the University strives to maintain. I particularly enjoy the fountain in front of the music school because it is not only enjoyable to view but also a nice place to sit and read," Kim said. \nOne piece of artwork that students pass almost every dayis "Veritas Filia Temporis" (Truth, Daughter of Time). The work depicts two gods in mid air reaching out to each other with a sun rising over water. The carving is located on the west side wall of Ballantine Hall near the court yard. It was created by the late Robert Laurent, a former IU professor. \nAt one of Dunn Woods' many entrances stands the bronze statue, "Adam and Eve." Designed and donated by former Associate Professor of Art Jean Paul Darriau, "Adam and Eve" was completed in 1968. Sherry Rouse, curator of art on campus, commented on the physical duality of the statues. \nThe same duality is also present in Darriau's new sculpture, titled "Red, Black, Blond and Olive," located in Miller Showers Park. "Red, Black, Blond and Olive" consists of two huge stone faces staring at each other. Each of these pieces represents an anonymous element. "Adam and Eve" represents all men and women, juxtaposed yet held together by the bonds of love. "Red, Black, Blond and Olive" presents two identical faces, showing that regardless of color, race or gender, there are undeniable similarities that join all people together. \nAnother piece of artwork that is a mystery to many students is The Indiana Arc. Standing in front of the IU Art Museum, it has become a symbol of the institution -- red piece of art adorns stationary and jewelry from the IU Art Museum. It was commissioned in honor of President Emeritus Thomas Erlich and his wife Ellen. According the IU Archives, the sculpture, created by Charles Perry, turns its way inside and provides contrast to the triangular construction of the Art Museum. Perry said the art represents a question he continually asked himself.\n"It is the latest investigation into the question 'What does it all mean?'" explain documents in the IU Archives. According to the documents, during the dedication of the piece in 1995, it was described as pleasing to the eye and mind. \n"Decidedly ornamental yet intellectually satisfying, food for the mind as well as the eye," the documents proclaim. \nSenior Dalton Finney said the arc represents the role of art in everyday life. \n"The Indiana Arc is very similar to the geometrical shape of the 'mobius strip,' a one-sided surface that is an infinite loop. However, in the Indiana Arc, that the loop has been broken. I interpret this as being a symbol for art breaking the monotony of everyday life," Finney said. \nAdelheid M. Gealt, director of the IU Art Museum, said the piece of artwork was chosen because it compliments it's surroundings. \n"The Charles Perry work was chosen for its visualization of timeless mathematical qualities, which make it so compatible with the mathematical and geometric aspects of our I.M. Pei building," Gealt said.\nThe Art Museum, the IU Auditorium and the Lilly Library have all been described as a "cultural oasis" by former IU President Herman B Wells during the dedication of Showalter Fountain. and sophomore Lisa Hennessy said she agrees. \n"I enjoy the various types of artwork around campus. They really add to the beauty," Hennessy said.\nWhere in the world is Showalter's dolphin? Everyone has heard the countless stories about pranks involving the bronze Venus: dressing her up in a bikini, pouring paint into the fountain so the water changed colors and, during the chaos after winning the NCAA men's basketball title in 1987, the theft of one of her dolphins. Few people realize what an impressive piece of art work they walk by every day. \nIU Professor Emeritus Robert Laurent, famous for his "The Goose Girl" in Rockefeller Center in New York, sculpted the bronze Venus and her dolphins. The fountain was funded by Grace Montgomery Showalter in memory of her husband. \nRouse said the missing dolphin is probably a trophy in some fraternity house. The goddess is desperately missing her dolphin and the University is considering replacing it. However, this is a costly process. \n"No questions will be asked for the return of the fish," Rouse said. \nIn all honesty, what prank could top the theft of the dolphin, if not its mysterious return? \n-- Contact staff writer Claire Bletz at cbletz@indiana.edu.