University's Outdoor Art Installations Elevate Campus Aesthetics
Lehigh University's Outdoor Sculpture Collection Expands with Interactive Map
Lehigh University's art scene has received a significant boost with the addition of thumbnail images and descriptions of each sculpture on the Asa Packer campus to Lehigh's interactive campus map. The university's collection, managed by the Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG), boasts over 50 notable outdoor sculptures spread across its three campuses.
The collection, a valued cultural resource open to the broader community, is integrated into the campus grounds, creating vibrant art experiences for students, faculty, and visitors alike. While exact details on each sculpture's name and location are not provided explicitly in the search results, the key points are clear: the collection includes over 60 outdoor sculptures, located across the three campuses, enhancing public art accessibility and engagement throughout the university grounds.
Some of the notable sculptures in the collection include the statue of Asa Packer, created by Karel Mikolas, and George Segal's "Woman on Park Bench", assessed in-depth by Sara Jewel '23. Other artists represented in the collection include American artist Herbert Simon, Guatemalan artist Joyce de Guatemala, Cuban artist Manuel Mendive, and German artist Herb Seiler.
Many of the sculptures in LUAG's outdoor collection were re-sited on campus nearly 20 years ago. Notable examples include Peter Hide's 'Sculpture No. IV (Greek)', situated just off Lehigh's Alumni Memorial Walkway, and Tom Althouse's painted oak 'Aim' on Lehigh's Asa Packer Campus. Paul Sisko's signature works, such as 'From Fractured Series' outside of Lewis Lab and 'Torn Rectangle', which has been on Lehigh's campus since 1980, are also part of the collection.
The collection's sole kinetic piece, "Three Rings", is by Israeli artist Ephraim Peleg and can be found on the Mountaintop campus. The bronze sculpture "Par What?" by American artist J. Seward Johnson can be found on the Goodman campus.
LUAG Director William Crow believes the outdoor sculptures provide an opportunity for people to slow down and notice things they may not have noticed before. Mark Wonsidler, curator of exhibitions and collections, notes that college campuses with elaborate outdoor sculpture collections are not very common.
The collection's integration into the curriculum is evident, with professors from various disciplines using the sculptures for teaching purposes. LUAG has also continued its partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District to integrate some of the Outdoor Sculpture Collection into the district's curriculum.
Former Lehigh Trustee Nancy Berman values the idea of sharing information and context for the sculptures that students, faculty, and staff encounter on Lehigh's grounds. Rachel Yiran Liu '22 focuses on Karyn Olivier's "Have a Seat", describing its interactive nature and the multiple square shaped holes on its volume.
For detailed information on particular sculptures and their exact placement, consulting LUAG directly or their official campus map and guides would be necessary. The university's outdoor sculpture collection continues to be a valued cultural resource, enhancing the university's rich artistic environment.
- Faculty from various disciplines are utilizing Lehigh University's outdoor sculpture collection for teaching purposes, integrating it into their education-and-self-development programs.
- The collection, managed by the Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG), showcases artworks from renowned artists such as Herbert Simon, Joyce de Guatemala, Manuel Mendive, and Herb Seiler, enriching the culture and arts scene on campus.
- Lehigh University's partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District enables the integration of the outdoor sculpture collection into the district's curriculum, providing opportunities for students to engage with art and broaden their lifestyle perspectives.
- The Lehigh University's Outdoor Sculpture Collection, a valued cultural resource available to the broader community, includes over 60 notable interactive outdoor sculptures spread across its three campuses, contributing to a vibrant and engaging educational atmosphere.
- The collection offers unique opportunities for visitors to slow down and appreciate the intricacies of art, as LUAG Director William Crow believes, thereby promoting a holistic education and self-development experience.
