The steel structure on 40th Street called "Plateau" may have garnered some vocal student criticism, but school officials promise they will ask for student perspectives the next time they embark on a public art project.
"Plateau" - a 150-foot-long series of seats and tables with built-in night-time lighting - was dedicated Saturday by its New York-based artist, Andrea Blum. She addressed a crowd of about 15 guests and thanked them for their support.
The project - which took three years to complete - is intended to "bring students together," Blum said.
"The dividing line was obvious before," she added, referring to gaps between Penn students and the rest of the West Philadelphia community. She said "Plateau" was intended to "zip various communities together."
And indeed, some are warming up to the sculpture's presence.
"I think it's a useful structure for people to sit on," said Wharton junior Ernest Baskin, who added that he has "hung out" at "Plateau" several times.
University architect David Hollenberg has faith that students will someday view "Plateau" in the same way that they do the Button sculpture near Van Pelt Library. At first, he said, the Button was widely criticized. Now, it appears on campus brochures.
"It's usually the pieces that have caused a lot of controversy that have become campus icons now," Hollenberg said.
But a number of students are outspoken in their criticism.
"It serves no purpose and obstructs the little bit of greenery we have," said College junior Janhvi Maheshwari.
And it seems like Maheshwari's opinion - along with those of other Penn students - will be considered the next time the University plans another project like "Plateau."
The project was developed as part of Philadelphia's Percent for Art Program, which requires that 1 percent of the cost of construction on redeveloped land be dedicated to public art.
While another similar project is not on the agenda just yet, officials say the next time they fund a similar piece, they will work with the student body.
The Undergraduate Assembly met this fall with officials from Facilities and Real Estate Services to weigh in on what public art ought to be on campus.
"I've asked the UA to prepare a list of the kinds of things students want to see on campus," said Facilities official Andrew Zitcer.
The list, which will include recommendations from students, will be circulated throughout Facilities' offices.
"I think it's great that the students want to be involved in this sort of thing," Zitcer added.
And while public art projects may not be an immediate priority for the UA right now, the body plans to make its members available for any conversations Facilities officials want to have, according to UA Chairman and Wharton senior Brett Thalmann.
