Sights of the union
Jack Hittinger
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Arts
While much has been made of the tech savvy-ness of the new Grewcock Student Union (ten flat screens for every student), many have overlooked the décor, which attempts to bridge the gap between high technology and high-brow.
Student artwork, culled mostly from the Fall Student Art Exhibit, smattered the Union for the Jan. 18 dedication ceremony.
Among the pieces showcased were those by Kate Rainer and Amy Scott, as well the sculpture of a dancer by Casey Hay '05.
Although the pieces are currently on display in various places around the building, Art Department Chairman Sam Kenecht said that the pieces aren't permanent.
"[The administration] just asked for some window dressing," he said. "It's a random sampling but it's all of excellent quality."
All the pieces belong to the students, Knecht said, except the dancer state, which is the property of the art department.
And although these pieces aren't permanent, Knecht said he hopes to see something there in the future.
"There really are some prime spots that cry out for artwork," he said, adding that he'd like to see portrait galleries of prominent Hillsdale College figures.
The transient artwork around the Union isn't the only thing to look at. In other areas of the building one can find photos and memorabilia of Hillsdale College past.
According to Linda Moore, Public Services Librarian at Mossey Library, the photos and artifacts selected for the Union "tie the new building into the history of the college."
On one wall leading back to the Saga Inc., and Student Publications offices hang various pictures highlighting past moments of college unity.
One 1922 photo shows the entire campus community in one panoramic photo. Another lithograph from the 1930s or 40s idealizes a quaint campus with Central Hall at the foreground.
A walk down the stairs to toward the Knorr Family Dining Room leads to a glass case with items that at first glance seem entirely unrelated to Hillsdale College-some Detroit Tigers souvenirs and some radio station memorabilia. But the case is dedicated to Fred Knorr, namesake of the former Knorr Student Center and part owner of the Tigers from 1956 until his death in 1960.
Finally, the upstairs formal lounge has a range of shelves that showcase important items of Hillsdale athletic and academic significance.
A lot of the items, including the old Winonas and some of the more valuable trophies, are duplicates. Additionally, Moore said that the library plans to add interesting books of which the library has multiple copies, making the lounge an ideal place for students to sit and read a little something about the college's history.
Student artwork, culled mostly from the Fall Student Art Exhibit, smattered the Union for the Jan. 18 dedication ceremony.
Among the pieces showcased were those by Kate Rainer and Amy Scott, as well the sculpture of a dancer by Casey Hay '05.
Although the pieces are currently on display in various places around the building, Art Department Chairman Sam Kenecht said that the pieces aren't permanent.
"[The administration] just asked for some window dressing," he said. "It's a random sampling but it's all of excellent quality."
All the pieces belong to the students, Knecht said, except the dancer state, which is the property of the art department.
And although these pieces aren't permanent, Knecht said he hopes to see something there in the future.
"There really are some prime spots that cry out for artwork," he said, adding that he'd like to see portrait galleries of prominent Hillsdale College figures.
The transient artwork around the Union isn't the only thing to look at. In other areas of the building one can find photos and memorabilia of Hillsdale College past.
According to Linda Moore, Public Services Librarian at Mossey Library, the photos and artifacts selected for the Union "tie the new building into the history of the college."
On one wall leading back to the Saga Inc., and Student Publications offices hang various pictures highlighting past moments of college unity.
One 1922 photo shows the entire campus community in one panoramic photo. Another lithograph from the 1930s or 40s idealizes a quaint campus with Central Hall at the foreground.
A walk down the stairs to toward the Knorr Family Dining Room leads to a glass case with items that at first glance seem entirely unrelated to Hillsdale College-some Detroit Tigers souvenirs and some radio station memorabilia. But the case is dedicated to Fred Knorr, namesake of the former Knorr Student Center and part owner of the Tigers from 1956 until his death in 1960.
Finally, the upstairs formal lounge has a range of shelves that showcase important items of Hillsdale athletic and academic significance.
A lot of the items, including the old Winonas and some of the more valuable trophies, are duplicates. Additionally, Moore said that the library plans to add interesting books of which the library has multiple copies, making the lounge an ideal place for students to sit and read a little something about the college's history.
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