Public Art and the City: Louisville 2012 Review

Last Friday, Peter Morrin and I welcomed close to 90 participants to the second annual public art symposium, held at the University of Louisville. Students from Georgetown College, U of L, and K State were in attendance, as were faculty from the U of L, UK, Bellarmine, Ohio State, and SCAD. In addition arts professionals and curators, including our very own Art Gal, Lori Meadows from the KAC, Karen Gillenwater from the Carnegie Center, were in attendance. The number of artists, in comparison to last year, was significantly lower; but the number of students and general public members had increased!

Before the official "start" of the symposium, several of us trekked to the Rodin on the campus of the U of L to closely view the stone, the bronze, its two layers of patination, and its wax. Above: Shelley Paine and Bernard Barryte closely inspect patina and marks of the patineur as Patrick Mohr looks on.

The symposium began with a session devoted to Rodin's history, his work, emplacement, and critical fortunes. Papers were offered by Chris Fulton and Bernard Barryte (from the U of L and Stanford University, respectively). The focus shifted to the science of Rodin, with papers by conservator Shelley Paine and image specialist Bill Mongon.

Paine and Mongon introduce the science of Rodin's art, above. The Keynote was offered by Renee Piechocki, pictured below.

Session II offered attendees the opportunity to hear "how to" do something in the field of public art. Breakout sessions were chaired by Garry Bibbs (Head of Sculpture, UK), Lori Meadows (KAC), Karen Gillenwater (Carnegie Center), Renee Piechocki (Keynote), and Chris Huskisson (Take it Artside!). Patrick Mohr (SCAD) offered a session on how to create temporary public art.

Session III focused on case studies from the region (sorry, no photos!). The symposium ended with a closing and final thoughts from Earl Grey and Peter Morrin. And, the day ended, as it began, in front of the sculpture, in quiet contemplation.

Above, artist and Curator Malcolm Cochran taking in Rodin. I enjoyed talking with you about this piece, Malcolm!!!

Thanks to everyone who attended this year's symposium.

We look forward to seeing you in 2013.