The UA has a plethora of eye-capturing and abstract public art pieces all around campus. Some of these works are better known than others, but each piece adds meaning and beauty to our campus.
With so many installations around campus, the public art can seem scattered and difficult to find, especially for new students.
Kristen Schmidt, the registrar of the UA Museum of Art, told us about the top five most admired and talked-about artworks around campus.
1. “Curving Arcades (Homage to Bernini)
Designed by Athena Tacha, the “Curving Arcades,” is inspired by the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s St. Peter’s Square. Schmidt describes the art piece as a “welcome to campus.” The piece, found at the beginning of the UA mall near north Campbell Avenue, captivates those who come into campus from the east side.
2. “Wildcat Family” and “Wildcats”
The “Wildcat Family,” designed by Nicholas Wilson and installed in 2004, represents the the UA’s mascot. The sculpture, located at UA Alumni Plaza, is a popular photo-op spot for students, visitors, faculty and staff alike. .
The “Wildcats,” designed by Mark Rossi and installed in 2001, also resembles Wilbur the Wildcat, similar to the “Wildcat Family” sculpture. Found at the north end of McKale Center, this sculpture embodies the spirit of the UA.
3. “Border Dynamics”
“Border Dynamics,” designed by Alberto Morackis and Guadalupe Serrano and installed in 2005, easily draws attention from passing students. Located outside of the Harvill building, this large art installation is visible from pretty far away. Schmidt said that “Border Dynamics” represents the tension that a wall brings at the border of Mexico and the United States and how it can divide people.
4. “25 Scientists”
“25 Scientists,” designed by George Greenamyer and installed in 1992, represents the variety of sciences taught in the Henry Koffler building. The colorful arch located directly outside of Koffler incorporates elements of scientists, reflecting the part of campus it belongs to. This unique piece sticks out among the red-brick buildings that line the UA mall.
5. “UAspire #2 — U.S.S. Arizona Memorial”
The “UAspire #2 — U.S.S. Arizona Memorial,” designed by Susan Gamble and installed in 2003, honors the U.S.S. Arizona battleship that sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The sculpture sits at the north end of the Student Union Memorial Center.
Be sure to read up and check them (along with the dozens of other campus art installations) out with help from the interactive map below. For more campus-art information, schedule a guided tour here through the UA visitor center, use the UA Museum of Art’s interactive map or the UA app for a self-guided public art tour.
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