In ceremonies held on RWC campus green Wednesday, May 15, Dean Barbara Bardes formally dedicated the sculpture that provides a new focal point for the campus. The 26 feet high sculpture, titled “Anatomy Vessel,” is the creation of Indianapolis artist Eric Nordgulen, who also spoke at the event. Nordgulen said he chose to “work with figurative forms because the image is readily identified by all members of the public. Thus a connection or a relationship between the campus population and the sculpture is direct and immediate.”
The sculpture is composed of a stack of various arc forms, fabricated separately with 3/16 inch thick aluminum plate.
Nordgulen was selected by an Arts Selection Committee, which included Irene Finck, from the Ohio Art Councils, Suzanne Mitolo and Ane Timpano from UC’s Clifton Campus, professors Julie Mitchell and Bob Hagerty of RWC, John Childress, from UC Construction Management, Ron Kull, University Architect, Couper Gardiner, of the architectural firm Baxter, Hodell, Donnelly and Preston, and Dean Bardes.
The dean said the creation was an “evolutionary process. We asked Eric to consider making the sculpture more open and, eventually, as he sculpted the project, it became more organic in form.”
Nordgulen said the modular construction of the piece is “similar in nature to the education process and the accumulation of classes, knowledge, and experience. Divided in two halves, the interior space invites one to step inside and become a part of the container, the figure, and therefore the process of education and learning.”
A local steel drum band provided musical entertainment, and guests enjoyed refreshments on a rare sunny spring day during the festivities.