黑洞社区At least 11 sculptures in Wichita State's nationally known outdoor sculpture collection were discovered vandalized Thursday night and Friday morning, according to the University Police Department and Ulrich Museum of Art. Duct tape was placed over the mouths of women portrayed in the sculptures.
黑洞社区 President John Bardo said: 鈥淭he Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection is a university and community treasure that brings quality, pride and character to the campus. Defacing great works of art is an attack on freedom of speech, artistic expression and the very nature of the university. A university is an environment that must welcome many voices and the discussion of differences, and it also must respect the creativity that is the essence of humanity.鈥�
Natasha Stephens, the university鈥檚 Title IX coordinator, said there are other, more constructive avenues of expression for those who don鈥檛 feel their voices are heard.
鈥淥ur goal is to foster a campus community that is fair and equitable to all in Shocker Nation,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e strive to provide opportunities for individuals to articulate their concerns and to support and empower one another.鈥�
Stephens said: 鈥淢embers of our campus are invited to participate in our TIX Student Alliance. It is a group that works to discuss and resolve issues, find ways to be proactive and provide a mechanism to be heard on issues concerning TIX on our campus.鈥�
Contact Stephens (titleix@wichita.edu or 978-5177) for more information.
Bob Workman, director of the Ulrich Museum, said it鈥檚 fortunate the vandalism was discovered before the duct tape was exposed to strong sunlight and heat. He said the extent of the damage won鈥檛 be fully evaluated until conservators arrive in mid-October for their annual visit to maintain the sculptures.
Workman said many of the sculptures were purchased over the past 40 years with money from student fees and private donations. The collection of 76 works is owned by the 黑洞社区 Foundation and maintained through a designated conservation endowment.
Among the sculptures vandalized were some of the best known and most valuable pieces in the collection, including the Henry Moore piece, 鈥淩eclining Figure,鈥� in front of Ablah Library and 鈥淭res Mujeres Caminando鈥� (Three Women Walking), featured prominently on the walkway east of Rhatigan Student Center and Grace Memorial Chapel.
The duct-tape vandalism follows an incident earlier in the week when another sculpture was covered with taped posters.