Plensa sculpture to be dedicated today at Rice University

Franz Brotzen
713-348-6775
franz.brotzen@rice.edu

Plensa sculpture to be dedicated today at Rice University
‘Mirror’ is latest Houston work by renowned Catalan artist

Rice University will dedicate “Mirror,” a site-specific installation by renowned international artist Jaume Plensa, during an outdoor ceremony at 5:30 p.m. today. Plensa will speak at the ceremony in the Herring Hall Grove on the Rice campus, 6100 Main St.

“Mirror” features two 10-foot-tall human figures positioned in conversation with one another. Up close, their physical forms are an intermingling of white coated marine steel letters from many alphabets. Viewers are provided with an entry point to each figure, where they can physically walk inside the sculpture.

“You go in and suddenly the world is on the other side,” Plensa said about his work. “You look through this form of expression that is calligraphy. I suppose it’s a bit of a romantic attitude. In a sense, you see the world through art, through a motion, through the expression of an idea.”

Plensa was inspired to create “Mirror” after visiting the Rice campus and observing students convening under the oak trees, in similar spaces to the Herring Hall Grove, where his installation will now live.

Described by the New York Times as “one of the world’s most celebrated public artists,” Plensa is known for his monumental sculptures that call home cities such as, Chicago, New York, London, Dubai and Vancouver, among others. Plensa’s “Tolerance,” which consists of seven figures, was installed in 2010 along Houston’s Buffalo Bayou at Montrose Boulevard and Allen Parkway.

“As Rice University moves into its centennial year, we are deeply honored by the generosity and vision of alum Bill Sick ’57 and his wife, Stephanie,” said Rice University President David Leebron. “They have provided us with the opportunity to have such an important work by Jaume Plensa — one of the world’s foremost sculptors. An iconic work by a major, internationally recognized artist, ‘Mirror’ is in many ways emblematic of Rice’s commitment to the visual arts on campus.”

University Art Director Molly Hipp Hubbard said, “Jaume Plensa’s work brings international notability to the campus. ‘Mirror’ seamlessly pushes further our mission to provide the Rice community with art that is transformative and can expand our perception of the world.”

Light refreshments will be served after brief remarks by Leebron, Bill Sick and Plensa.

Members of the news media who want to attend the dedication ceremony should contact Franz Brotzen at franz.brotzen@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.