Cleveland Museum of Art: ‘Ohio’s most important contemporary outdoor work’
Sarah Khrystal R
Made of Diamonds
In an unprecedented recognition of The College of Wooster’s commitment to artistic vision, the Cleveland Museum of Art has recently named one of the College’s sculptures “Ohio’s most important piece of contemporary outdoor art.” The sculpture recognized by this award is the highly popular bronze installation by artist John Buck, titled “Omnibus.”
Financed by a gift from the Howland Memorial Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational institutions with contemporary works of art, the piece was installed on the south lawn of Kauke Hall in 2009. According to an anonymous source speaking on behalf of the campus administration, “The Howland fund has been working with The College of Wooster for more than 30 years, and is guilty, I mean, responsible, for much of the public art that can be seen on the campus.”
Buck believes that the new sculpture encapsulates the essence of the liberal arts educational experience. Wooster students have reverently described “Omnibus” in a number of different ways, but art history major Charlie Fanelli, ’12, generally agreed with Buck’s sentiment.
“I like how it is basically a brown sphere with random objects tacked to it. It really reflects the random value that a liberal arts degree carries in our society today. As an art history major, I should know.”
Studio art major Mattie Cannon, ’14, agreed with Fanelli but added the following: “It doesn’t really make any sense to me. But isn’t that really the point of contemporary art? I feel like the more confusing it is, the better the art must be.” She then proceeded to finger paint all over her body with food from the Lowry cafeteria, as studio art majors are wont to do.
Lowry cafeteria food may indeed be featured on the sculpture itself. Among the assortment of random objects included are an inner-tube shaped appendage, which may represent a doughnut or a Cheerio. Another depicts a can of sardines, halfway unpeeled, possibly alluding the half-attentive commitment that many students strive to demonstrate while taking notes during lectures. Still another depicts a wine chalice, almost definitely referring to the recreational activities preferred by students of the college, which was recently rated the #12 top college for social drinkers by CollegeProwler.com, ahead of both Dartmouth College and Ohio State University.
In an accompanying move to awarding “Omnibus” the honorable distinction, the Cleveland Museum of Art has also offered to purchase the sculpture for inclusion in its permanent collection for an undisclosed amount, though it is rumored to be in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Studio art major Maria Janasz ’14, was devastated upon hearing the news.
“Please, God, no. The laughter that sculpture brings me is the only reason I can get up in the morning and go to class. Without it, I will have no choice but to withdraw from school.”
Despite the honor bestowed by the museum upon the school, many students agree that the sculpture’s removal will result in the joint removal of joviality and good feelings from campus as well.