Kinetic Sculpture Installed
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Brad Howe, LA-based artist and his assistant Jason, spent three days on-site installing a kinetic sculpture whose theme is Globalization. He takes the concept from its origins … ship pennants displaying their national colors. The constantly moving sculpture fills most of the 32′ high atrium space with flag impressions hand painted by Disney artists on rugged aircraft aluminum of the 192 countries recognized by the United Nations.
John DeAngelo
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I’m not really crazy about this because I liked the nice open space that the atrium offered. But that’s just me.
February 26th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
The sculpture is beautiful, but what takes this unique is the movement and the colors. Good job!!
March 1st, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I doubt how much they know about the flags. The flag of South Korea is turned inside out. It means that the image appeared behind is shown front. And the flag behind it is the flag of North Korea, the country USA pointed out as a terroist country. I don’t understand why they made it.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
Gyu, I want to emphasize these were not meant to be reproductions of each nation’s flag but IMPRESSIONS in a banner format. That said, I did notice that the South Korean Yin and Yang mark does appear to be upside down or inside out, depending on your persepective. I will report this to the artist for his reaction. As far as the axis of evil, we are only reporting those nations recognized by the UN … not endorsing them.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:58 am
David, It’s OK to be just you., and there’s nothing wrong with preferring the simplicity of an open space. Since this a matter of taste, I can simply give you an explanation of why the sculture is there. You may remember that before renovations to Speakman Hall, we had flags of many (not all) nations hanging in the main corridor. After renovations it became impossible to re-hang them, but as a school committed to the concept of globalization, we felt it was important to carry that theme into Alter Hall but in a more dramatic way … hence the commission to an artist with experience in kinetic sculpture. You also may have noticed the granite globe on the east side, and the compass rose at the entrance, also symbols of our commitment to glabalization. Thanks for your comments.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
Omar, thanks for you comments. Reception to the sculpture has been overwhelmingly positive.