OSU announces dedication of sculpture celebrating research

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

A work of contemporary art visually interpreting multidisciplinary research underway at the Henry Bellmon Research Center (HBRC) will be dedicated on the Oklahoma State University campus Oct. 24, at 5 pm. The public art project was installed in September east of the research facility and is a collaboration between OSU and the Oklahoma Arts Council Art in Public Places Program.

The six transparent glass disks, each six foot in diameter, are the work of California artist Gordon Huether. He created the individual disks to portray six research disciplines found in the HBRC: biodiversity, bioforensics, biogeophysics, biophysics, photonics, and synthetic chemistry. The Gordon Huether Studio worked with the university to obtain microscopic images for each distinct area of research. Huether digitally manipulated the color and transcribed that image from a microcosm to macrocosm.

“Huether is a master with creating a visual dialogue between the art and the architecture of the site,” said Nigel Jones, OSU’s architect who served on the art selection committee.

The artist has mastered the challenge of creating art in a multitude of environments and mediums. The scale of his work ranges from large architectural installations for public commissions to small intimate works of art for private collections and residences.

Early in the process, Steve Dobbs, OSU manager of landscape services, challenged students in a landscape architecture class taught by Associate Professor Michael Holmes to develop design concepts for a sculpture courtyard featuring Huether’s work. Although no specific concept was realized, the final installation reflects many of the concepts presented in the class project.

The public is invited to join OSU President Burns Hargis and Ann Hargis along with representatives of the Oklahoma Arts Council to celebrate the completion of this project commissioned in 2011. The art installation was funded with support from the Oklahoma Arts Council Art in Public Places Program.

PHOTOS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/albums/72157675232095306