Installations bolster campus art scene

By Staff Editorial     3/11/10 6:00pm

Rice may be an arboretum, but an art museum it is not. So we were pleased to hear of the university's successful bid to host sculptor James Surls' bronze and steel work through the end of August (see story, pg. 1). Rice secured the sculptures over several Houston parks and promenades, and the works, which were previously exhibited on New York's Park Avenue, are scattered across campus. In light of next week's events, our first question has to be: Are these sculptures jackable? But, Willy Week aside, we see this as a positive addition to our campus that does not destroy the ambiance. Our only beef with the sculptures has to do with their aesthetic appeal. The works are divisive, and in fact, many on our staff consider them downright ugly, which is why we are also relieved this is a temporary exhibit. However, when push comes to shove, we hope this signals the beginning of a trend to bring more art to campus and to appreciate structures beyond the construction of the next mega-college. We hope Rice will strengthen its ties with the Houston art scene - a large, talented community - and look into bringing more traveling exhibits to campus. What better way to connect with the surrounding community?

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