|
|
|
|
|
Committee chair reflects on story behind Wells sculpture
Oct. 16, 2000
NOTE: Robert F. LeBien, chair of the Herman B Wells Sculpture committee, below offers his reflections about how the Wells sculpture being dedicated Saturday (Oct. 21) was developed. You are welcome to quote him directly from this backgrounder. Photographs and more information about the Wells sculpture are available on a special Web site at http://newsinfo.iu.edu/OCM/wells.htm. Digital images suitable for publication also are available at http://newsinfo.iu.edu/OCM/wellsphotos/index.html
"The idea of a sculpture of Dr. Wells sitting on a park bench originated in Indiana University's Assembly Hall. At one particular game in 1996, after verifying Dr. Wells' presence -- as I always did -- I remarked to my wife, Sara, that 'some day he will no longer be there.' Thinking about this inevitability, I was struck by how much his physical presence meant to the university and how much it would be missed after almost three-quarters of a century. I was always amazed and amused how a man of his age was able to attend receptions, board meetings, the auditorium, opera and sporting events -- many in the same day. His presence at these functions and events seemed to convey a reassuring continuity and feeling that 'all was well' with the university.
"Therefore, it seemed to me that a fitting and lasting tribute to Dr. Wells would be to tastefully ensure a representation of his physical presence for all time: not a statue of a great man on a pedestal above us, but rather a sculpture portrait of Dr. Wells sitting on a park bench among us, on the campus that he loved.
"My first step was to establish that this was, in fact, a good idea. To find the answer, I went to some of the people who had known and worked closely with Dr. Wells for many years. I also wanted the opinions of his personal physician, art scholars and collectors. This group included Dottie Collins, Wayne Craig, Dick Bishop, Sally Cook, Heidi Gealt, Kathy Foster, and Keith and Marian Michael. This group, including me, became the nucleus of the Wells Sculpture Committee. Later I added Dr. Gene Creek, Dr. Wells' personal physician, and Jim Elliott, a long-time friend. I also discussed the idea with several friends who I considered to be representative of the broader categories of alumni and general acquaintances of Dr. Wells. They too liked the concept.
"But what did Dr. Wells think, and how would university officials respond? Dr. Wells gave the self-effacing reply we expected: 'Can't you find something better to do with your money?' Since he didn't say 'no,' we proceeded to talk with IU President Myles Brand and Peg Brand, IU Bloomington Chancellor Ken Gros Louis, IU Vice President Terry Clapacs, IU Foundation President Curt Simic and IU Alumni Relations President Jerry Tardy. They too responded favorably.
"The next step in the process was to find a sculptor. The committee was unanimous that the search for the sculptor should be nationwide. There were many suggestions from individuals and from the National Sculpture Society and from the National Sculptors Guild. Our extensive research and deliberations resulted in our engaging Tuck Langland, a professor of fine arts at Indiana University in South Bend, with a national reputation in the very type of realistic sculpture that we were considering. The committee's recommendation, together with the artist's portfolio, were sent to the university and to the IU Board of Trustees who enthusiastically approved the project and the choice of sculptor later in 1998.
"The committee then began its most difficult task: to define the image of Dr. Wells that would greet the IU community and visitors for generations to come.
"The committee concluded that the sculpture should represent Dr. Wells after his presidency but while he was still in his prime, active and vigorous. What we did not want was a sculpture that would be simply dismissed as an 'old man sitting on a bench' by viewers of the future. Throughout the whole process we were constantly considering how the sculpture would be viewed in the future as well as the present.
"We determined that the finished sculpture would represent Dr. Wells still in his prime, around his late 60s or early 70s, sitting on an IU park bench, resting after having taken a casual walk through the campus he dearly loved. He is sitting with his legs not crossed, and his left hand holds on to his favorite soft hat. His tie is loosened for comfort and his suit jacket is open; he is not wearing a vest. He is wearing French cuffs and cuff links bearing his initials (cast from the originals). A gentle gust of wind partially flips his tie and jacket edge, and a handkerchief fashionably appears from his breast pocket.
"The representation shows Dr. Wells relaxed but engaged, not lost in contemplation. His right hand is extended, characteristically palm down, and there is a friendly and warm expression on his face, both projecting an eternal greeting. His left eyebrow is as unruly as ever.
"Tuck began the sculpture process with the preparation of a small clay model, or maquette, which he presented to the sculpture committee in September 1999. It was about 15 inches by 18 inches. Over the next several months, Tuck made the clay model at 110 percent life size, which is standard practice for sculpture. As a final review, members of the committee, as well as Barry Gealt and Jim and Talley Weigand, who were fresh eyes and had known Dr. Wells for decades, met in April 2000 at Tuck's studio in Granger, Ind., to see the finished clay model. At every step of the way, the committee had offered suggestions to make the sculpture more representative of the Dr. Wells they knew. Tuck, with infinite patience and good cheer, made the adjustments.
"This is not a monument to a great man. There are buildings and departments that are testimonials to his vision and greatness. Rather this is a sculpture portrait of Dr. Wells frozen in a given point of time, but still engaging the students, friends and visitors around him. The sculpture is about Dr. Wells' physical presence on campus. It is a tribute to a great man whose physical presence has been a fixture on the Bloomington campus for almost three-quarters of a century. When you look at the sculpture you don't see his greatness. Rather, you see his physical presence full of the charm, warmth, wit and vitality that you remember. When you drive or walk by the sculpture it looks so real that you feel his presence. You are compelled to say to yourself or out loud, 'Hi, Dr. Wells!'
"The sculpture represents Dr. Wells not as bigger than life but as part of life. It shows Dr. Wells as we all knew him -- as one of us."
(George Vlahakis, 812-855-0846, gvlahaki@indiana.edu)