Great works of art can most often be found in museums, galleries, private collections, or even public spaces for everyone to enjoy. However, these aren’t the only places where you can gaze upon timeless creative classics.
Many institutes of higher learning around the country boast impeccable collections of artwork, and the art shipping professionals at Navis Pack & Ship are no strangers on where to find these unique pieces. If you’ve ever had questions about where to find these exquisite works of art, read on!
Image: UCSD/Philipp Scholz Rittermann
American colleges and universities are known for having aesthetically magnificent campuses, and some campuses have artistic works that are known throughout the world! One of the most well known sculptures of all time is Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker. The iconic sculpture pose of the semi-nude man first went public in 1904 but now there are over 28 full castings of the famous piece, and many are on university campuses. The Thinker is currently standing (or, sitting) at Stanford University, Detroit Institute of Arts, Columbia University, and the University of Louisville in Kentucky. The statue that resides at Stanford University is six feet tall and weighs almost one ton.
Many campuses have the traditional fine art paintings, sculptures, and photographs, but some have collections of more offbeat artwork worth checking out. Some universities have commissioned incredibly peculiar and innovative pieces that people travel hundreds of miles just to get a glimpse of the artwork (and, we don't doubt, attract many of the world's art majors). At the University of California in San Diego, Do Ho Suh’s Fallen Star, is a piece that might scare you if you are unfamiliar with the backstory. The installation piece is a small, fully furnished home that dangles off the side of a university building. According to Do Ho Suh, the goal of the piece was to illustrate how sometimes we all feel displaced, especially those people who venture into new cultures. Another inventive installation is the Flying Books exhibit at University of California, Berkeley’s main public library by local artist Vita Wells. The installation features almost 200 books suspended midair and according to Wells, the goal of the exhibit is to demonstrate the true power of books.
However, university campuses aren't just a hotbed for intriguing yet lesser-known artwork. Those interested in viewing classic paintings by famous artists may choose from a large number of spectacular art museums on campuses throughout the country, such as the Princeton University Art Museum. With over 72,000 works including an exhibit that takes a particularly insightful look at Edvard Munch’s works, the art house consistently offers the very best in classic and modern artwork.
From the East Coast to the West Coast, this is just the beginning of the amazing collections of art that universities have to offer. One of the great things about living in a college town is that you can almost always experience these wonders for free (or almost-free). Do you have a favorite famous piece of art that's hosted at a college near you? Share in the comments!
By Steve Goble, VP of Marketing Communications for Navis Pack & Ship. When he's not spilling packing and shipping secrets, he's spending time with his family at a San Diego Padres or Chargers game. Connect with Steve on Google+ and LinkedIn.
