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News

A bird? A plane? No, just campus art

Raising eyebrows since 1967, ‘Untitled' in the UC Arbor is one of many out installations whose mystique provideds some relief from the mundane

by KELSIE HAHN
The Daily Cougar

Deep in the heart of the University Center Arbor, a hunk of twisted metal stretches toward the sky. Cryptic words and numbers crawl across the behemoth's wrought skin, defying interpretation.

For UH students Untitled, by Bob Fowler, has always been something of an enigma.

The Daily Cougar reported when the statue was installed in 1967 that it represents a longhorn with "a long neck, representing strength; an owl in the chest cavity representing wisdom, a small person on the backside representing the student body and a cougar on its back, representing UH."

Student opinion on the subject and purpose of the art varies across campus-- several saw a reptilian cast to the piece's long curves.

"It looks like a snake-type thing," business management senior Alex Landa said, noting the words "Good" and "Evil" etched in the sculpture's side could be a commentary the traditional view of snakes as negative images, though "I haven't really thought about what it means."

University studies freshman Rebekah Cartwright saw a similar shape in the sculpture. 

"I would call it abstract art. I'm not sure what it's supposed to be--maybe a snake," she said.

Creative writing sophomore Alia Mohamed saw a variety of animals set in the artwork.

"Isn't that a cougar on top, and that's a longhorn? And the Rice Owl's on the other side," she said, though the interpretation is the product of hearsay. "I only know that because someone told me."

Hotel and restaurant management sophomore Devin Kline said he saw "a cougar attacking a giraffe" in the sculpture's towering form.

When Untitled was first added to the UC in 1967, student opinion was divided on the subject.

Then pre-law junior Larry Dougherty criticized the sculpture for its high price tag and ambiguous nature.

"This cost $17,000 and students don't even know what it is," he said in a public debate about campus topics, the Daily Cougar reported. This structure is supposed to be symbolism. It's the kind we don't need.

An un-identified art major defended the statue, saying the artist accomplished his goals in the work.

The statue is one of many sculptures and works of art displayed around campus, and students today have a positive view of the additions.

Business freshman Zainad Alhassan said she appreciates having a touch of sophistication on her daily treks to class.

"When I see the art pieces, I actually stop and look at them," she said.

Landa said he enjoys seeing the sculptures around the Architecture building and lamented the lack of art around Melcher Hall where most of his classes meet.

"I thought all the stuff around the Architecture Building was cool," he said. "I wish there was more around (Melcher)."

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