Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916

Friday, May 09, 2025 — Houston, TX

Explore Rice Public Art

0835be9ff26049e8c3ccbb5efa533e6a

(2) "Edgar Odell Lovett" (Bruce Wolf)

By Rice's unique art installations at a glance     8/28/13 7:00pm

To complement natural light, this space projects an LED lightshow onto its ceiling to provide a location for contemplation and reflection (1).

Commissioned as part of the Centennial, this seven-foot-high statue glorifies Rice's first president and the vision and dedication he brought to the university. Dr. Lovett is depicted here as a younger man. (2)

This painting, housed in the BioScience Research Collaborative, has content that differs depending on the viewer's perspective. Due to the application of layers of acrylic paint, the letters in "Think" fade or come into focus as the viewer moves. (3)



These two figures sit as if in conversation, reflecting each other's dreams and wishes and leaving room between each other for viewers to enter into and interact with the dialogue. This dialogue and interaction comprise the most important components to understanding different cultures, as depicted by the letters of various alphabets. (4)

This statue combines elements of nature to explore the nature of humanity. The flower motif represents humanity's softer side, while the bare branches portray a starker side. The knot in the middle represents the mind itself and all its complexities. (5)

This artwork, located in the BRC, consists of 92 LED lights that flash up to 16 million colors in a pattern that never repeats. Inspired by the work of John Conway, who invented the best-known cellular automata program, these lights represent the brain's desire to understand and Rice University's role as a center

of learning. (6)

The nine different-colored glass boats that float over Fondren's main entrance represent the passage to knowledge that a library and university can afford its students. Each boat is the same size but subtly different in appearance. (7)

These five orbs made of recycled plastic and solar-paneled motors represent an alien universe. As they rotate, the orbs reflect the light to demonstrate the energy and dynamism associated with physical motion and outer space. (8)

 

Illustrations by Lydia Smith



More from The Rice Thresher

OPINION 4/26/25 5:14pm
This moment may be unprecedented — Rice falling short is not

In many ways, the current landscape of American higher education is unprecedented. Sweeping cuts to federal research funding, overt government efforts to control academic departments and censor campus protests and arbitrary arrests and visa revocations have rightly been criticized as ushering in the latest iteration of fascism.


Comments

Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.