Students forms group to save sculptures

A new University group has issued an SOS!. The organization, Save Outdoor Sculpture!, is the University's chapter of a national organization which will evaluate the condition of artwork around campus beginning in November. The University Museum's Office of the Curator is launching the pilot SOS! project with the Fairmount Park Art Association. The purpose is to examine in detail all of the artwork surrounding campus and evaluate its condition and whether the art warrants repair, according to Jacqueline Jacovini, associate curator of the University art collection. "The sculpture on campus is an important part of our culture and heritage, not only of the University but also of our country, for example, the sculpture of Ben Franklin," Jacovini said. "They need to be looked after." Jacovini said the SOS! project will rely on volunteers to conduct the evaluations. Jacovini said the volunteers will specifically examine the sculptures to ensure that the color, materials and dimensions are the same as they were when the sculpture was installed. The volunteers will also determine if the location of the sculpture places it at risk of being damaged. Other chapters of SOS! have already "saved" 25 scuptures in Philadelphia since the organization's founding in 1982. She added that no plans have been made to implement restorations if the evaluations indicate action is needed. Jacovini also said repair could be "costly" for the University. Members of the University community said yesterday that they believed the artwork is important to the University's campus and culture. "This project is a great idea," Hill House Graduate Fellow Cory Bowman said. "Without a doubt, the University sculpture collection contributes many positive aspects to the University atmosphere." "The sculptures give our campus a lot of character. They make different parts of campus really unique," College sophomore Eileen Everly said.