It was an exciting day outside of the Admission Visitors Center today! A new piece of art was installed in between the Admission Visitors Center and the Chemistry Building on the T. Anne Cleary Walkway. The sculpture, Ridge and Furrow, by British artist, Peter Randall-Page is a boulder with continuous and endless ridges, which some say resembles a brain. Below are some photos of the installation!

The cost to commission the work was $160,000. The sculpture is part of the Art in State Buildings Program enacted to provide for the inclusion of fine arts in state building construction projects in cooperation with the Iowa Arts Council.  The requirement states that one-half of 1 percent of a project’s total cost shall be expended for the acquisition, preparation and installation of fine arts elements in and around state buildings in areas regularly accessible to the general public. The funding came as part of the construction of the Pomerantz Center, Burge Hall and the Chemistry Building. (UI News Press Release, 6-27-11)

This YouTube video shows more information about how art is chosen for UI buildings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBmv8hLE_VU&feature=player_embedded#at=15