Odyssey Arts and Events Series Oct. 7 with Sculpture

Emilee, sculpture by Dessa Kirk

WESTVILLE – Purdue University North Central will celebrate the sixth year of its Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series with a public opening of its multi-piece contemporary sculpture exhibit, Odyssey 2004 – 05 on Thursday, Oct. 7, from 3 – 4:30 p.m. in the Library-Student-Faculty Building Assembly Hall Room 02. The program is free and open to the public. Families and children are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The theme of this year’s show is “Freedom” and 13 sculptors have created pieces that reflect their interpretation of “freedom.” The artists’ representations range from pieces reflecting opportunity; one’s ability to move freely in our county; the ability to explore the cosmos and the lack of restrictions and self determination.

The Odyssey exhibit brings together 16 new sculptures that will grace the 305 acres of the PNC campus.

S. Thomas Scarff, in his sixth year as curator of the PNC Odyssey sculpture shows, remarked, "This show will be filled with pieces that stir emotions, cause people to think about the many definitions and interpretations of “freedom” and how it impacts every facet of our lives.”

The Odyssey Cultural Series will feature a variety of other events throughout the year, including exhibits of art, film showings and a PNC theater presentation of “The Diary of Anne Frank” performed by PNC students.

Sculptors exhibiting and their works with the Freedom theme as part of Odyssey 2004- 05 are:

Christopher Furman – The Price of Freedom – Art dramatizing that many over the ages have sacrificed their lives for freedom so that others could be free.

Mike Helbing – Variation on My Victory - a stainless structure based on the "winged victory of Samothrace,” a marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory), discovered in 1863 on the island of Samothrace.

Joe Hunt – Idea (Trains of Thought) – Made of 500 weathered railroad spikes and welded into multiple surfaces to embody trains of thought – the freedom to create - a liberating force.

Kara James – Handmade Revolution – A fabricated aluminum figure that suggests the force of freedom is the human force and that freedom is our responsibility and while the concept of freedom is in our minds and souls, the power is in our hands.

Faheem Majeed – Enabled – This steel and spray paint piece conveys ideas about freedom, but the artist leaves the piece open to interpretation to project one’s own experiences. The artist notes that some see the figure as breaking free of chains while others see it in a religious concept.

David Noguchi – Flight of Freedom – A stainless steel piece that rotates as a representation that we are able to move freely in this country. Stylized wings suggest the flight of the bald eagle, a symbol of freedom.

Eric Nordgulen – Anatomy Vessel – This cast aluminum piece illustrates that we need to be free to explore a sympathetic relationship between industry and nature and that freedom means that we must continue to redefine freedom as sine 9/11 life isn’t the way it was.

Fritz Olsen – Passage to Freedom Through Winds of Change – A mixed media kinetic sculpture combining marble and stainless steel, representing the ongoing journey toward freedom in an ever-changing world.

Wayne Rice – The Spirit of Kilroy – This three-dimensional sculpture of brightly colored geometric shapes recalls Kilroy, the World War II cartoon character who came to represent the spirit of the American G.I. and pays tribute to the brave young soliders who were part of the massive effort to defeat the tyranny of dictatorship.

S. Thomas Scarff – A Slice in the Fabric of the Cosmos – is a bold representation of the freedom to explore another dimension.

Peter J. Smith - Phillips – Freedom of Self – This piece speaks to the freedom each of us has to look into an empty mirror and create what we want to see. Choices create our self images; freedom allows us to choose.

Don Wenig – One Seat – Made of steel, wood, neon and acrylic, this piece represents the state of mind of imprisonment – that we can allow ourselves to be imprisoned by our beliefs but that there is always a space that exists within that is free and whole.

Michael Young – A Point Free – An aluminum piece that is a personal reflection of the freedom of not being tied down.

Other artistis and their works being debuted on the PNC campus as part of Odyssey 2004 – 05:

Bob Emser – Structural Spaces – Exteriors Within – a variety of interior suspended works that contain suppressed forms and figures beneath their outer appearances.

Dessa Kirk – Emilee – The sculpture embodies strength and power, seeing the possibilities that the universe offers and making them happen.

Rojelio Tijerina – Untitled – This pinewood, bronze and aluminum sculpture is a highly accurate “frieze” of animals – buffalo, steer, birds and fish – that graze in and inhabit federal lands.

Existing Odyssey pieces:

John Adduci – Running Arch & Odysseus

Michele Goldstrom — Oh! 

Richard Heinrich — Off-Minor

Mike Helbing — Skynet with Objects

Stephen Hokanson — Cosmos/Chaos  
 
Terrence Karpowicz — NEKAY

Rob Lorenson – Sentinel

Patrick McDonald — Shield

S. Thomas Scarff — Windfighter, Geisha Rose and Rainbow Flyer

Jessica M. Swift — Light Time/Flight Time

Barry Tinsley — Springville Portal

Zelda Werner — Alexander’s Circus

Most works are for sale.

In addition, well-known artists and PNC Continuing Education instructors Connie and George Kassal, will display their show, Wickets, Windows and Wonders,” also in Assembly Hall.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Judy Jacobi, director of marketing at 1-800-872-1231, ext. 5593. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Jacobi.

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