Art • The
sculpture above was created by Piotr
Kowalsi in 1965 as part of the first
International Art Symposium. Kowalsi
used stainless steel and formed its shapes
using dynamite charges underwater. This
statue to the right, found by the LA-5
building, is the infamous “Forty-Niner
Prospector” which represents
the CSULB school mascot and the spirit
of
the 49er. Tracey Roman / Daily Forty-Niner
Campus
art both admired and ignored
By
Karla Casillas
Daily Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Students at Cal State Long Beach walk by history on a daily basis as they pass
the various sculptures scattered around campus.
The sculptures are hard to miss, whether they are located near the University
Student Union or in front of the McIntosh Humanities Building near Seventh
Street. They stand tall and proud around campus, ready to reveal their history
to those willing to listen to them.
Nine original works remain on campus.
In 1965, Kenneth Glenn, a professor in the CSULB department of art, organized
and directed the Long Beach International Sculpture Symposium. It was the first
held in the United States and the first on a college campus; the project had
previously only taken place in Europe before then.
CSULB (then known as California State College, Long Beach) President Carl W.
McIntosh and campus architect Edward Killingsworth gave early support for the
Long Beach Symposium. Individual and industrial donors from Long Beach and
the surrounding community financed the symposium.
The Symposium has been termed “a wedding of industry and art” by
University Art Museum (UAM) material. The cooperation from the industry helped
make the symposium a reality. It was one of the first experiments in the formal
partnership of art and technology.
Eight distinguished world sculptors were invited to the CSULB campus and created
permanent works of art on the campus. These sculptures, known as the Monumental
Sculpture Collection, which students, faculty and visitors pass by everyday,
make up a “museum without walls” by UAM material.
According to Anna-Maria Sanchez, registrar curator for the University Art Museum,
the sculptures represent a lot of variety and no specific focus.
“The program has continued to grow as the university has grown,” Sanchez
said.
Sanchez said some of the sculptures are not placed on campus for their longevity.
Some sculptures are dedicated to people, such as “Anonymous,” on
the corner of Seventh Street and West Campus Drive, which is dedicated to Kenneth
Glenn.
Despite the rich history surrounding the sculptures around campus, student
response varies. Students interpret the placement and significance of each
sculpture in their own way, some giving the sculptures a lot of thought and
others giving them little or none at all.
“I think the sculptures are around to show diversity in the fields of study.
I like how they match colors. You can tell they’re significant because
of the color,” said Jose DeLaTorre, a third-year history major, as he stood
in front of LA-5, where the “49er Prospector” is located. “The
green appears subtle, it’s there, but doesn’t distract you,” he
said.
To first year master’s student Kenneth McCall, the sculptures are part
of the atmosphere and culture of CSULB.
“I like them all, I don’t understand what they’re all for,
but enjoy them even if I don’t understand,” McCall said. His favorite
piece is “Vietnam 1975,” located in the Central Quad.
Heber Marquez, second-year liberal arts major, has never given the sculptures
much thought. He never stares at them due to time constraints because he is
always rushing to class.
“I figure somebody made it and stuck it in the middle to make the campus
better,” said Amanda Stanwood, third-year child development major.
“They’re just nice to have, they’re a piece of history,” said
Shadi Seyedyousef, a first-year liberal arts major. She thinks it makes the campus
look “more welcoming.” |
