photo of Echosphere sculpture by Russ Rubert 
Echosphere by Russ RuBert
(courtesy rubert.com,
photo by Rick Norman)

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Public Art Committee

Missouri State University's Public Art Committee consists of
campus and community members. The committee's goals
include: setting standards and criteria for artwork donated
to or commissioned by the university, drafting a "Visioning
Guide for Public Art," providing opportunities for the campus
community to explore the role of public art, and developing
and overseeing campus policy and procedure on public art.

 

 

Community Server icon Visit The COAL Community to discuss questions concerning public art. (.pdf, 16K)

The Public Art Committee is launching an Art in Public Spaces Initiative for the 2006-07 year. The initiative is intended to educate the community and university about the value of art in public spaces. Events planned for the fall semester include:

April 12, 2007
A Day Without Art, a cooperative effort among local institutions of higher learning, area public schools, and arts groups to bring attention to the powerful ways in which art enhances our lives. "A Day Without Art" will dramatize the effects on the general public when art — music, dance, theatre, visual art, literature, and writing — is removed from the public sphere.

All participants are encouraged to join this endeavor symbolically. Examples of support might include the temporary draping of sculpture, removal or draping of two-dimensional art in public spaces, and suspension of music, dance, and theatrical performances. Arts educators are encouraged to facilitate discussions with their students about their reactions to "A Day Without Art." All should endeavor to complete the sentence: A day without art is ___________________ .

Participants may also display posters provided by the College of Arts and Letters at Missouri State University to indicate their support of this effort.

April 12, 2007 - 7:30 p.m.
A Day Without Art - Public Arts Celebration, a community-wide event to publicly celebrate the arts will be held at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Featured in this celebration will be the Missouri State University Symphony, led by Professor Robert Quebbeman.

April 13, 2007 - 4:00 p.m.
A Day Without Art - Public Conversation The Public Art Committee will host a Public Conversation to debrief the participants of this event.

The events are free and open to the public. For more information about the events or the Art in Public Spaces Initiative, contact the College of Arts and Letters office at (417) 836-5247.

Echosphere
Is the sculpture also known as "dueling satellite dishes." It is site specific (between Ellis and Craig Halls, on the lawn immediately west of National Avenue. It was created by then student Russ RuBert who thought in terms of a problem solving situation. It was conceived of in connection to the departments in the area of its location:  English, Music, Art, Modern and Classical Languages, and Communication. Dwaine Crigger says that he likes to use that piece as a metaphor for the College of Arts and Letters. "Some in the College believe that we are a group of disconnected departments. Others are craving unity." The piece is made of aluminum and was realized after 3000 hours of work. It includes 2 satellite dishes, rays, carrier pigeons—symbols suggestive of the communication arts.