Posted on September 29, 2020 at 4:00 PM by Sydney Marshall
The green space between Morrill Hall and Beardshear Hall has always been a bustling area filled with students hustling to their next class. The Anderson Sculpture Garden, located along this pathway, provides a perfect opportunity to slow down and view examples of University Museums’ varied permanent collection of public art. Not to mention it’s becoming increasingly more popular with those wanting to eat or study outside during this era of socially distanced gatherings.
The Anderson Sculpture Garden hosts loaned exhibitions of sculpture, allowing the ISU community to view multiple examples of an artist’s works of art within one location. As many public artists have installations and art scattered across the country, this can be a unique opportunity to explore how an artist has evolved over time, or experimented with a concept over many years. Ginnever: Transforming Perspectives is the latest installation in the garden, and will be on view until 2022.
Charles Ginnever was a sculptor who created many large-scale public works of art, which can be found in cities and museums around the country. Throughout his career he experimented with creating sculpture that was meant to be experienced in conversation with its surrounding architectural and natural elements. In contrast to some of the other examples of sculpture you may see in the Anderson Sculpture Garden, Ginnever challenged the idea that sculpture belonged on a pedestal, to be viewed from one static perspective. As you walk through the installation, I challenge you to notice how these sculptures transform as you walk around them. Do they compel you to look at the surrounding campus and garden differently?
IMAGE ABOVE: Cobra, 1984 by Charles Ginnever (American, 1931-2019). Steel. Collection of the University Art Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald D. Kohs.
IMAGE BELOW LEFT: Untitled [Flat Illusion Series], 1968 by Charles Ginnever (American, 1931-2019). Steel. On loan from the Jon and Molly Ott Collection, California.
IMAGE BELOW RIGHT: Walkabout, 1987 by Charles Ginnever (American, 1931-2019). Bronze with patina. On loan from the Jon and Molly Ott Collection, California.
Support for this exhibition is graciously provided by the Byron R. Anderson Sculpture Garden Fund, Betty and Dennis Keeney, and the University Museums Membership. With special appreciation to the Ginnever Trust, the John and Molly Ott Collection, and Karen and Robert Duncan Collection. With gratitude to Tessa Peters, Anne Pagel, Trisha Bergren and Anne Kohs in the exhibition preparation.