Indiana State University: Campus
The newest members of the Indiana State University family were dedicated on Wednesday in Cunningham Memorial Library’s events area.
Posted: Friday, April 10, 2015 11:03 am
The newest members of the Indiana State University family were dedicated on Wednesday in Cunningham Memorial Library’s events area.
Theodora Lenderman, the associate vice president of special events, coordinated the dedication ceremony for students, faculty and staff to attend.
“I believe there were over 100 people in attendance for the event,” Lenderman said. “We changed the event to be inside just to be safe. The decision was made this morning (Wednesday).”
Many showed up for the event and were excited to meet the artist, Madeline Weiner, as she signed pieces of the rocks left over from making the sculptures.
“I think (the sculptures) are beautiful,” Lenderman said. “It’s exciting for me to see how much people seem interested in this new piece of artwork at Indiana State.”
Cheri Bradley, the first lady of Indiana State and an Arts Spaces board member, gave a speech at the dedication and was very excited to add this new piece of art to the campus.
“‘A Reading Place’ is a warm, interactive and whimsical sculpture upon which our students and other members of our community are invited to sit, read or just enjoy a beautiful day,” Bradley said. “I anticipate seeing a lot of selfies on social media as our students take advantage of this interactive artwork.”
Students hanging out with the sculptures, or “bench people” as Weiner calls them, is exactly what the artist wanted.
“I wanted to make something to honor the campus,” Weiner said. “For this reason I had students on my mind when creating the sculpture.”
The sculpture is a five-piece set that focuses on reading and books — three people and two book sculptures.
Each one of these “bench people” has a name, Weiner said.
Mary Jane is the woman without a book. The other woman reading a book is named Marry. The last person is the lone man, Larry.
“I call the woman Mary Jane,” Weiner said. “But I believe she will always be Madeline to Cheri.”
The purpose of these sculptures is to engage the women who live in Reeve Hall, Weiner said.
Weiner said the sculptures were hand-carved with power tools and completed about a week ago.
Sorority members who live in Reeve Hall are excited about the newest additions to their home base.
Grace Adams, a freshman art education major and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, went to the event to meet the sculpture’s artist.
“I think (the sculpture) was a really good idea,” Adams said. “It solidifies Reeve Hall.”
Many people are already starting to notice the changes when they walk between Reeve Hall East and West.
“Almost immediately I saw people stopping to look at them,” Adams said.
Lenderman said she hopes that the students understand and respect the new features at Reeve Hall.
“One (sculpture) has already been marked on with chalk,” Lenderman said. “I hope that people treat them with respect. They should be used for enjoyment, not for graffiti.”
Weiner invites all to come and experience her work.
“I want students to see my sculptures and come out of the walls and glass and be one with nature, earth,” Weiner said.