by Chaz Holley

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (UTC)–At the entrance to the University Center is a bright yellow sculpture pointing up. Though passing visitors can probably not see the next sculpture on campus, those being further up vine street past the entire University Center and Library. Aside from “Sky Toucher,” the yellow piece by the University Center Lansing court, nearly all the Outdoor Art at UTC is placed around the Fine Arts Center.

Outdoor art can provide a visual draw.

 ”There is also a lively debate as to the structure or makeup of art in public places programs and indeed, the selection process.” said artist John Henry. “The notion that a few should decide what the many must look at for generations is a thorny issue.” With recent talk in city council about the importance and, more to the point, the funding of outdoor art programs, the absence of such art from the scholarly setting becomes apparent.

Concerns about Public Art

Outdoor art does have a lot of considerations associated with it. The placing and selection take a large amount of time to do and have to be tailored for each place and piece.

There is also an obvious monetary concern. Many pieces cost several thousand dollars, which becomes further accentuated in the current economic environment. The many meetings and scouting involved also cause a personnel cost. Many colleges and cities must rely on grants and private donations to be able to exhibit an artists work.

There is also always the concern of safety and security of the pieces. Most public art is on around the clock display which makes it easy for vandals. The record for such incidents at UTC however is relatively low.  The curator of the Cress gallery at UTC, Ruth Grover, talked with us about the security involved in the art.

The OMA of Chattanooga State

The Outdoor Museum of Art at nearby Chattanooga State boasts over twenty pieces, some rotating in and others on permanent exhibition. The OMA began in 2002 by Dr. James Catanzaro and John Henry. With help from John and Diane Marek, who also support UTC with a visiting lecture series, the program has been running since with a variety of exhibits. Several acres of the campus have been dedicated as galleries as well as areas around the facilities themselves.

How does the OMA effect the campus itself though? ” There are two statements that I receive when the exhibits are changed, one is “Joe, there has been a pile of junk steel put outside the building,” said Joe Helseth of Chattanooga State. “The other call will be “Joe, OUR sculpture is gone, what happened and when will it be replaced, hurry please.” Many of the students and faculty incorporate, even become possessive of, the art as part of their days, studies, and lives.

“The OMA has worked its way into the life of Chattanooga States campus and class rooms in many ways. Classes have incorporated the works into serious assignments, light hearted exercises and the art department uses the OMA and John Henry’s studio as a learning lab. Students lounge around the works, rename them, sketch them, help install and even in a number of cases help construct the art. Interacting with the artists who deliver the works has been a way of students seeing that a career in the arts is a life’s work and reward.”

“Sky Toucher” touches UTC

UTC certainly seems to want to have a similar model to Chattanooga State, if this report from the donation of the last piece is any indicator.

“The outdoor spaces are important to create a learning environment and a social,” said Chancellor Roger Brown. “People enjoy being in [the campus] and it makes them feel enthusiastic about being a part of our campus community.”  The dedication of “Sky Toucher” last year was the last donation of outdoor sculpture for the campus. The John Henry sculpture was donated by Ruth Holmberg to the University from her collection.

The actual placement and dedication were the end of a long road for “Sky Toucher.” Combined efforts by people such as Linda Collins of the landscaping committee , Ruth Grover, and Chancellor Brown were required to actually settle the statue into its Lansing Court home.

Where to?

What is sculpture is on campus is mostly around the Fine Arts Center.

There is certainly plenty of places art could be placed on the UTC campus. Many of the dorms have unused open spaces and blank corners that could be prime for adding more identity to the individual dorms. Further out facilities such as the Metropolitan Building or facilities on Palmetto Street. Of course central buildings like Guerry Center and Grote Hall could both accommodate more work. The entryways of the library already host some circling exhibitions, which shows opportunity to shelter some works from the elements.

Many of the halls themselves are particular unimaginative and grey along the walls themselves with the exception of the occasional bulletin board or departmental showcase.  The UC alone seems to really stand out with its many hosted student works. These blank halls and spaces further highlight the readiness of UTC for more works.

Solutions

What do UTC faculty think should be done? We found out:

The first major issue that would need to be overcome for UTC is the monetary concern. With UTC currently in a heated debate over budget cuts, outside of very careful gradual planning or considerable donation this front seems to be a dead end.

The selection crew itself is also a matter of contention when it determines such a meaningful fixture. “There’s usually this notion that the art department should spearhead these sort of things,” said Matt Greenwell, art department head. “I don’t know if that’s actually the case.” Greenwell stressed the need for planning and budgeting for outdoor pieces as well the ideal selection group. Greenwell said that a more student run committee of various majors, not exclusively art students, with faculty advisement would be ideal.

Ruth Grover, curator of the Cress Gallery, emphasized the need to make sure the art becomes a part of, rather than disrupts its environment. Grover also emphasized the need for some sort of professional helping in the selection and placement process.

The potential for more varied and interesting work is certainly present at UTC, but whether it will be on display or a permanent hiatus is yet to be seen.