Iowa State University has commissioned a contemporary sculpture, Transformation, by renowned, American artist Albert Paley, which will be installed at the entrance of Morrill Hall in August 2007.  Paley has completed more than 50 remarkable works of art for both public institutions and private corporations over his 30-year career as one of the world's foremost sculptors, including the seminal portal gates at the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum.  Albert is currently a Distinguished Professor holding the Charlotte Fredericks Mowris Professorship in Contemporary Crafts, School for American Crafts, College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York. 

At ISU his new contemporary public work of art will serve as a tribute to the mission of the Christian Petersen Art Museum housing ISU’s Art on Campus Program and emphasizing contemporary art and contemporary issues. Similarities exist between Paley and Petersen—both began their art careers as craftsmen and jewelers, and then worked to become sculptors and public artists, and both matured on a university campus. 

Paley’s vision for the public art sculpture will transform the main entrance of Morrill Hall into a spectacular portal to learning. A central sculpture in the east arched portico will dramatically define dual entrance staircases, giving students an opportunity to approach the portico entrance from the north or south.  The front of the staircase wall will resemble an undulating matrix of stainless steel plates.  A feeling of movement will be fabricated with depth and texture from the concave and convex forms and shapes of this bas-relief sculpture, much like the dynamic movement of the building itself.  When morning light bounces on the sculpture, it will be a dazzling waterfall of steel and reflected light, with its appearance changing every moment of the day and with every season.

Press Release for Transformation

Albert Paley's Project Proposal