Destruction of art

When it comes to reports of vandalism on the IU campuses, University officials agree it's been a quiet year -- so far -- and they'd like to keep it that way.\nSherry Rouse, IU's curator of campus art, hesitantly admitted it has been "a very good year so far" in regard to the defacement of art on all eight IU campuses. Rouse said in the grand scheme of things, IU students have been generally been respectful of the art and sculptures on the IUB campus.\n"Historically, we're pretty lucky," Rouse said. \nLarry Stephens, director of the Office of Risk Management, which oversees annual reports of vandalism to campus murals, statues and sculptures, also agreed the year has been fairly uneventful in terms of defacing property, but there have been memorable reports in the past. \nThe Showalter Fountain has repeatedly been vandalized. The most famous incident occurred after the Hoosier men's basketball team's NCAA victory in 1987, when fans removed all the dolphins from the fountain and dispersed them throughout campus. All the dolphins were recovered -- except for one. \n"Fortunately we had a bronze tuna from the original design of the fountain. We had it and it fit," Rouse said. \nTo this day, the last dolphin is still missing, and IU would still like to have it.\n"If anyone wants to bring it back, no questions will be asked," she said.\nThe fountain, which falls within the responsibility of the IU Physical Plant, has endured much more than losing its beloved aquatic creatures. On numerous occasions, students have duct taped bikinis onto the mermaid or slipped soap bubbles and green dye into the fountain.\n"They take pride in what they do and are very dedicated to their work," Rouse said. \nHowever, each time the fountain is vandalized, it costs nearly $70,000 to restore the bronze artwork.\nBut repair money doesn't grow on campus trees. Funding for the repairs of vandalized art on campus is completely independent. As the primary responsibility for art on campus, Rouse is also responsible for fund raising dollars for repairs if artwork is damaged.\n"Usually a department will sponsor the repair of an item," she said.\nAlso, when a sculpture is donated to the University, the donor will leave extra funds to ensure the longevity of the artwork. In some cases, an independent contributor will aid the restoration. Karen Herbert, wife of IU President Adam Herbert, is currently backing the conservation of two sculptures on campus.\n"(Karen Herbert) will leave a great legacy as a first lady of the University," Rouse said.\nStudents have shown respect toward art on campus during the years and it has been a mild year so far. With Halloween coming up, Rouse hopes students will continue to "keep up the good work" and not cause too much trouble in the upcoming week.\n"Soul," a statue located in the Indiana Memorial Union courtyard, was stolen last year, but an anonymous tip led to the later recovery from a nearby apartment complex. \nAnother piece of campus artwork repeatedly damaged is the Indiana Arc, known to most as the large red sculpture outside the art museum.\n"Students continue to use it as a ramp for biking and skateboarding," Rouse said. "However, I am working on getting a fence installed to prevent said incidents."\nIronically enough, it is the standard fare art that seems to receive the most harassment. More controversial pieces on campus -- such as a section of the Benton mural in Woodburn Hall that depicts the Ku Klux Klan burning a cross -- have rested quietly.\n"Every few years, students will debate (the mural's) presence," Rouse said, but the mural itself has never been defaced.\n"In fact, more organizations from around the world request photo copies of the Benton Mural each year than any other piece of art on campus," she added.\nDespite the exceptions, most vandalism or defacement of campus art is not done with malicious intent, just thoughtlessness.\n"We recently restored the statues of Mr. McNutt in the Northwest neighborhood," Rouse said.\nStudents would rub the sculpture's nose for good luck, but over time it turned brown from dirt and the oils in people's skin.\n"After the head's restoration, I arranged for a plastic case to be placed over it in order to prevent future damage," Rouse said.\nAnother similar and recurring incident is the deterioration of Herman B Wells' index finger, which tarnishes for the same reason. (Contrary to rumor, his hand was never designed to hold a cane.)\nIU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said despite the prominent incidents, IU has been spared from persistent, major vandalism.\n"Luckily, (vandalism) is not a widespread issue, " he said. "Occasionally, someone will walk by and spray paint something, but we've received very few reports this year"