July 2008

Omega Point move

This month, construction crews began the restoration and relocation of the sculpture Omega Point, which has been on display outside the main entrance of Roesch Library since 1973, the year it opened.

When the work is finished, the UD-commissioned sculpture by former Marianist priest Henry Setter ’51 will rest on a new base set in the library lawn northwest of its original location, said David Schmidt, project manager in facilities management.

Omega Point, 42 inches tall, was part of Setter's work toward a master's in fine arts at the University of Georgia. Rather than ship the 400-pound plaster original to Dayton for fabrication, Setter designed a laminated polyester and fiberglass duplicate that weighed only 40 pounds. From this, he made the nine foundry patterns, which were cast in aluminum at the Valentine Match Plate Co. in Dayton and welded together.

"The plaster original, because of its annoying and unmanageable weight, has been destroyed and deposited in a Dempsey Dumpster in Georgia," Setter wrote in correspondence that is now in UD's archives. "... 'It ain't no more!'"

Setter also sculpted two other prominent works on campus -- Eternal Flame, the bronze statue of John F. Kennedy in front of the Kennedy Union, and Seat of Wisdom, a Marian sculpture in cherry, mahogany and walnut now on display in the lobby of Roesch Library. Seat of Wisdom was Setter's gift to the University.

by Maureen Schlangen 7-23-08

Southern lights

As we enjoy the longest days of the year in Dayton, we look back at the spring experiences of Chris Kannen ’99, who witnessed the beginning of the months-long polar night on Antarctica.

Many things about Antarctica feel otherworldly, and the picture [to left] is no exception. The orange glow is the light from town, and the thin bright line on the horizon is the Pegasus Ice Runway, which has been lit going on a week now in preparation for tomorrow’s C-17 flight from Christchurch. Not sure why the runway had to be lit for a week straight, and it was sort of perfect when someone ran out of the dorm lounge last night to start the runway generator back up after someone else saw the lights suddenly go out. I’m sure they had their reasons for leaving the lights on for a week, and as long as everything is working — great. But this reminds me of a couple quotes about the ice: “There is the right way, the wrong way, and the Antarctic way,” and “measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, cut it with a chainsaw.” Anyhow, when the plane takes off it will be the last flight out for four months and I’ll be on it. ...

Kannen, a New York-based painter, received a National Science Foundation Award through the Antarctic Artists and Writers Program. His entire entry from April 17, and other observations, can be read on his Parhelion Pemmican Pack-Ice Pancake blog. He'll share his art and experiences on campus in September.

by Michelle Tedford 7-07-08