Essence and Aesthetic

Posted by admin on Feb 17, 2010 in Arts & Culture | 0 comments

Public art has played a role in all of our lives – whether one has been exposed to far out sculptures in cosmopolitan plazas or the giant kitsch dinosaur in Drumheller, Alberta, public art informs and influences the space we inhabit. The idea that art should be displayed in public follows from a belief that art should be accessible to all people. Public art acts as leaven to everyday life, assisting people to critically think and feel beyond themselves and out to others, even to those things we cannot see.

Aside from the artwork which graces the interior walls of various buildings on campus, public art at TWU is – I think – limited, at best. There is good reason for this. Trinity’s size and financial constraints are perhaps the largest contributing factors, which by consequence restrict the time and effort that can be afforded to commissioning public art. Because of such factors, the creation of public art at TWU has primarily been a donor-driven process, the Campanile (or bell tower) being the most illustrious example. Following the construction of the Reimer Student Centre and the Stephen P. Larson Atrium, the Alloway family of Ontario, through their late Maranatha Foundation, requested the construction of a bell tower to enhance the beauty and visibility of the library named in their mother’s honour. They donated generously. Completed in 2000 and dedicated in March of that year to the memory of Canadian author Norma Alloway, the tower stands at 50 feet fulfilling its mandate each day at 10:50am with a “call to chapel.”

The motivation for the construction of the bell tower and adjacent gardens was honouring to the memory of Norma Alloway and adds immensely to the beautification of campus – but we cannot expect the circumstances of its conception to be a regular occurrence. Furthermore, it was the donor family who, through their gift, determined the object and scope of the project both in cost and design. It is a beautiful, tastefully designed bell tower, but does a donor driven process, as it stands, give us art we need or want?

One result of this donor-driven process is the overcrowding of artwork in places like the library, to the point where University Librarian Ted Goshulak says he is “not in a position to accept further donations or pieces of art at this time.” So the question becomes, “Is it feasible for TWU to commission art for public spaces given its financial priorities?” Probably not. However, as part of TWU’s Envision the Century, I think there is room for a real solution, which eases our dependency on arbitrary donor gifts for public art. In its approach to supportive infrastructure Envision the Century outlines key points to how the physical layout of the Langley campus will embody a signature design that communicates the essence of the university. So let us meet the potential donors halfway; if TWU can originate ideas for public art it would like to display in the next few decades as part of Envision the Century then those who are able to contribute financially to the school can contribute to our vision and share in communicating our essence. President Dr. Jonathan Raymond says of TWU, “Our essence is Jesus Christ. Our ends are truth, compassion, reconciliation, and hope! Art, architecture, landscaping etc. can message both essence and ends.” The importance of public art on TWU’s campus is in communicating this essence and meeting our end to be a wonderful place to “learn and grow in competence, character, personal calling, and commitment.” Public art can communicate this essence.