Media events will be part of dedication of Art Building West

Posted September 7, 2006

Related information: Photos from the dedication events

IOWA CITY -- The dedication of Art Building West, the new art building designed by internationally renowned architect Steven Holl, will take place tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 8, on the University of Iowa campus.

The building has captured international attention, most recently in GA ("Global Architecture"), one of the most important large-format, glossy architecture magazines, which is published in Japan. ABW is shown on the cover of the latest issue, which includes a multi-page feature on Holl and the building, with many high-quality photographs. Similar features are planned in other publications, including Travel & Leisure, Art in America, the Chicago Tribune and the International Herald Tribune.

Several events will take place during the day that will be of interest to media. Architect Steven Holl will lead a walk-through of the building for reporters beginning at 10 a.m., and followed by a press conference in Room 240, the Second Floor Auditorium, at 11 a.m.

Several new art works will be visible during the day:

• A series of celebratory columns, created specifically for the dedication, will be set up by members of the 3D Design class. They have been designed by Monica Correia, assistant professor of 3D design, and graduate student Vinicius Lima, and feature life-sized photographs of students in the School of Art and Art History. The columns will be set up between 7:30 and approximately 9 a.m., and will be taken down at the end of the day.
• Students and faculty in the intermedia area will present a demonstration of the building's up-to-date Media Theatre, on the second floor near the Second Floor Auditorium, throughout the day.
• A new sculpture by Richard Artschwager, located on the deck above Hutchinson Quarry Pond will be unveiled immediately after the dedication program and ribbon-cutting ceremony, around 4:30 p.m.

The complete schedule of events tomorrow will include:

• 7:30 a.m. ABW grounds: Installation of celebratory columns by members of 3D Design class
• Throughout the day, Media Theatre: Demonstration of intermedia artworks
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m., ABW Gallery: Faculty Exhibition and Online Auction
• 10 a.m., beginning in ABW Lobby: Walk-Through with architect Steven Holl
• 11 a.m., 240 ABW: Press Conference with architect Steven Holl
• 1:30-3 p.m., 240 ABW: "Fuzzy Edges: Between Art and Architecture," symposium featuring Steven Holl, Vito Acconci and Michael Bell
• 3-4 p.m., ABW: Self-guided tours of building
• 4 p.m., 240 ABW: Building Dedication Ceremony
• 4:30 p.m., ABW Deck: Unveiling of sculpture by Richard Artschwager
• 4:30-5:30 p.m., ABW: Self-guided tours of building
• 5-7- p.m., Nancy and Craig Willis Atrium, UI Museum of Art: Broadcast of "Know the Score LIVE!"

The UI acknowledges the UI Foundation as the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information about the foundation, visit its web site at www.uiowafoundation.org.

Contact Information

Margaret Reese
Director of Development, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
(319) 335-3305 or (800) 648-6973

Additional information about supporting the School of Art and Art History also is available on this site.