Western acquires work-of-art as part of state program
Sculpture brings new energy and light to Westside campus
DANBURY, CONN. — With its neon glow, twinkling lights and progressive design, a new sculpture hanging in the Westside Campus Center captures the explosive energy of life at Western Connecticut State University.
As part of Connecticut’s Art in Public Spaces program, established by the General Assembly in 1978, the sculpture was selected by a committee from WCSU that reviewed the proposals of three artists. Artist Alice Aycock of New York City was selected based on the overall aesthetic appeal of her work.
According to Tamara Dimitri of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, who orchestrates the artwork for the program, Aycock said the sculpture represents an explosion of energy and light and waves of frenetic activity. “The piece fits well with the architecture,” said Dimitri. “It speaks to the energy of the students and appears to be a piece that will have a timeless quality and will be something of interest for years to come.”
The 15-foot by 12-foot sculpture, which hangs on a board above the Westside Campus Center ballroom is a patchwork of bright colors: illuminated yellow and orange neon wands, a satellite dish in one corner is adorned with a coiled red wire cone and several computer boards mimic a starry night sky. In Connecticut, Aycock has other pieces installed at Tunxis Community College in Farmington and another at the Rowland State Government Center in Waterbury.
The state program requires that not less than 1 percent of the cost of the construction or renovation of publicly accessible state buildings be allocated for the commission or purchase of artwork for that building. Aycock’s sculpture for Western was $88,500. Nearly 400 works have been commissioned since the program’s inception, including painting, photography and murals.
Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.
