Perk #16: Campus sculptures
April 9th, 2012 | Author: Angela
(taken by me)
Hello to all you Anteaters, and welcome back to a brand spankin’ new quarter at UC Irvine! I hope every single one of you has had a delightful Spring Break. Now that we’re back though, it’s time to refocus and push ourselves to dominate this final hurdle. It’s Spring Quarter, but it hardly feels like springtime anymore, since it’s really starting to heat up around here! The leaves on the maple trees lining the street below Watson Bridge have fully returned in a glimmering light green hue, the gentle breezes feel warmer and kinder than their wintry counterparts, and our already beautiful campus seems so much more lively with summer in its wake.
Speaking of our campus, if you haven’t taken the time to appreciate the many aesthetics that surround us at school, now’s definitely the best time to do it! There are a couple different spots where you can appreciate the sometimes-overlooked details of UCI. One of them is the statues behind the Science Library. Here, you will find a walkway that takes you through emotion-evoking and slightly-eerie marble statues, created by Nancy Doran. The first time I walked through this aisle of statues, I was both a little spooked and in awe of the unique positions of each sculpture. Every figure is different, but each are similar in that it feels like every subject is either seeking refuge in the safety of its marble confines, or attempting to break free from its stony prison. Alec, one of last year’s bloggers, also wrote a post about Nancy Doran and her sculptures, if you’re interested in learning more about them.
(taken by me)
Another set of statues oversee the campus in the Zen Garden of UC Irvine. Sitting atop lush green grass that is always shaded by tall trees, these steadfast and tranquil statues under the Humanities Bridge stare solemnly ahead and emit an aura of peace and stability. I haven’t gotten the chance to meditate there yet, but what with the upcoming research paper that I have to write for Humanities Core later on in the quarter, I may just find myself there more than once…
Above all though, my favorite spot on campus would have to be the Chancellor’s Rose Garden straight across from the flagpoles and next to Irvine’s Barclay Theatre. I pass by it every single day as I walk back and forth from my shuttle stop to my classes, and not a day goes by when I don’t inhale the sweet aroma of roses in the summer air and gaze upon the dramatic statue crouching in the middle of the flowers. Although it isn’t so much of a quiet spot to collect your own thoughts, this little patch of roses is a my favorite spot to sit in the midst of the hustle bustle of students and staff and simply watch.
Have a lovely second week, everyone! Play hard, work harder, and remember to take some time to smell the roses every now and then.
- Angela
