Continuing with my art in landscape blogs, I thought it would be nice to talk about sculpture in the landscape that is on our campus. Therefore I will focus on the sculptures outside of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. There are seven outdoor sculptures outside of the museum. There are six different artists with various backgrounds and impressive histories.
The first sculpture is called Shang by Mark di Suvero built in 1984-85 out of steel. The sculpture can be interpreted as a Chinese character as well as a Japanese Shinto temple. A lot of people swing on the moving chair. The interactive quality of this sculpture makes Shang highly appealing.
Moving on to our second sculpture, there is Orion by Mark di Suvero in 2006 out of steel. This structure is a play of angles and line seen from any side. The artist painted the steel red to contrast with the blue sky. This is the most pronounced structure surrounding UMMA. People either love or hate this artwork. I know of people who think this looks like people having sex, but I don’t see it. Maybe you do.
The third sculpture is called Ternary Marker, by Beverly Pepper in 1988 out of cast bronze. It is known as a “urban alter†that blends antiquity with modernism. You can see it behind the museum next to Tappan Hall.
The fourth land art is called Stiff Box No. 12, by Lucass Samaras from 1971. It appears to be an abstract form of intertwining forms, possibly resembling a figure. Samaras was interested in contrasting the left side of the sculpture with soft forms to the right side with hard jagged movements.
Heading around the museum to the fifth sculpture we see Requiem by Erwin Binder. It was made in 1988 out of bronze. This piece is a memorial to the armed forces and Americans who have served for our country.
The sixth work is called Angry Neptune, Salacia, and Stride by Michele Oka Doner a UofM alumna. This structure is made out of bronze and appears to be melting figures in dialog.
The last structure is called Daedalus by Charles Ginnever. The title is after a Greek legend and is molded in the shape of a wind in flight. Walk around it to get the full effect.
Well, there you have it. I hope you enjoy your stroll around the museum soon!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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