Luther displays permanent sculpture

The beginning of this school year at Luther College is peppered with change. We have a new science building, roads have disappeared and meal transfers are available all day long. Along with these, there is another new addition to campus. In front of the CFA sits a brand new sculpture by Edward L. McCullough entitled “Meridian II.”

This new sculpture will take the place of last year’s outdoor sculpture, “I Am” by Jeff Boshart. The wood used for “I Am” came from trees that once stood where the CFA is now, and some were concerned that the piece would be removed completely. They can rest assured that as “Meridian II” moves into its place, “I Am” will relocate to a spot behind the CFL.

“The materials from Jeff’s other piece behind the CFL will be recycled,” said Gallery Coordinator David Kamm. “It was Jeff’s intent for the art students to take it down and reuse the wood. We don’t have any more temporary pieces of art on campus this year. All the pieces that are up are intended to be permanent.”

The process of obtaining new pieces of artwork for the campus is simple. Most of the time they are donated by alumni or community members.

“Ed [McCullough] just called us up and said he that had this permanent piece he wanted to give to the college,” said Kamm.

“Meridian II” was supposed to arrive in the spring of 2008, but because of a serious work related injury, McCullough was not able to transport the sculpture the 900 miles to Luther until summer.

McCullough began working on his series of “Meridian” sculptures back in the 90s. They are abstract designs primarily constructed from stainless steel. It was his intent for the pieces to reflect light, shadows and the environment.

McCullough also created the piece that sits in front of the Jenson-Noble music building. That piece, “Elegy #10,” became part of the campus in 1993. It is the final sculpture in a series taking inspiration from words by Rainer Maria Rilke’s “The Duino Elegies.”

“An anonymous donor purchased the piece and gave it to the Luther Fine Arts Collection,” said Kamm.

These are not the only pieces of outdoor artwork on the Luther campus. In 1911, the wives of the Norwegian Synod of the Lutheran Church bought the concrete and bronze statue of Martin Luther for the campus. In 1934, the stone and cement memorial behind Koren was erected.

In 2000, Ruth and Wilfred Bunge donated the 1400 lbs. bronze statue of Oedipus and Antigone that sits in front of the CFL. Just last year, Ruth and Wilfred Bunge donated again to the college with the bronze figure “3-D Life Tree” that is in front of the Union.

There will be a service during Shadow Block on Thursday, Oct. 16th for the dedication of McCullough’s “Meridian II.” Students, faculty, staff, and community members will gather by the sculpture at 9:45 a.m. Jane Kemp, supervisor of the Fine Arts Collection, will speak, as will McCullough. Refreshments will be available inside the CFA after the ceremony, and guests will be able to talk with the artist himself.