WU gets artistic treatment

The year 2011 marks the 16th annual outdoor exhibition, sponsored by Washburn University and by the Campus Beautification Committee. This year, there are seven sculptures that are featured in various locations on Washburn campus.

“The Kubota Orange Dinosaurs” are located in front of Morgan Hall, and was made by Matt Moyer from Columbia, Missouri. This sculpture is from a series of works called “Dinosaurs, Small Monuments to Big Machines,” that explores society’s relationship with heavy machinery. Society often refers to old machines, both functioning and defunct, as ‘dinosaurs.’

“Phoenician” is a combination of metal and glass by artist Rollin Karg from Kechi, Kan. Karg got his inspiration from the Phoenicians, which opened trade to the Mediterranean Sea and the northern part of Africa.  It is located between Morgan Hall and the Memorial Union.

When one thinks of “Dreams of Flying,” people around campus may have more than one interpretation. Robbie Barber from Waco, Texas, designed this steel sculpture. Some of his influences included science fiction and toy design. This unique creation is located along the Union Lawn and Yager Stadium.

Kenneth M. Thompson from Blissfield, Mich., constructed the “Inverted Arch,” which is constructed by limestone and steel. From afar, it looks like a rocking horse, and is located in from of Mabee Library.

“Expansion” is a steel structure constructed by Heidi Hamilton of Omaha, Neb. Hamilton’s influence for this sculpture came from suspension bridges, and is interested how they fit together like puzzle pieces. It is located near Washburn Village.

“Lantern Light” is placed on Washburn campus near Henderson, and was created by Ye Yushan from Beijing, China. “Lantern Light” is one of four sculptures given to U.S. cities by the Chinese government to commemorate 30 years of formal Sino-American diplomatic relations.

“Topiary With A Twist” is located in front of the Mulvane Art Museum, and was built on site in 2009 by artist Patrick Dougherty from Chapel Hill, N.C. It will remain on campus until early 2012.