Self-Guided Walk of Artwork on CSUB Campus Starting from the Library

Art work in Library includes the following. Walk into the main room, and start with the first work on your right. It is a steel book by Gene Montez Flores called Tremblor Range, done in 1995-8, We was one our visiting sculptors in 1998. To the left of that is a work by Laughing Horse (Art Tech) called Kawqisu Book #1, Keenon Wor ‘ordiff, called “Big Hair Tina”. To the left of that is a mixed media work by David Koeth (David used to work at CSUB, now he is Chair of the Art Dept at Bakersfield, College), called Gilden Feld, 1999, mixed media on Wood. Continuing to the left, we have an Acrylic on Steel work by Ted L Kerzie, (he taught painting at CSUB for many years). Further to the left, there is a second steel book by Gene Montez Flores called Arroyo Colero II, done in 1997.

On leaving the library, directly in front there are two animals, a deer and a cougar. These were made by Wendy Klemperer from recycled steel parts (including parts from railway tracks) found in the junk yards of Bakersfield. Wendy is from Brooklyn, NY. email wendklem@ix.netcom.com URL: www.wendyklemperer.com

Walk down the steps on the left,, Stan Hunter from Sierra Madre, Ca. worked with our students to make these stacked columns. Since he lived in Los Angeles, he taught our students how to make the thick clay slabs, which they made while he was gone. This was the first installation of Stan’s that incorporated the glass element. Stan was influenced by the striations of stone and layers that tell of history, relating to the petroleum industry around Bakersfield. www.stantonhunter.com’

At the bottom of the steps, on the right, you will see a large, blackened head. This sculpture is a tribute to Martin Luther King, made of many blocks of 4”x4” but together with oak dowels and water proof glue. He then carved the details in with a chainsaw, and blackened it with a torch. The sculptor is Jems Robert Koko Bi, from Ivory Coast, now living in Germany. This sculpture is the second in a series of four that he hopes to complete—the first is larger than this one, and is of Nelson Mandala, and resides in Essen Germany (as does the artist presently). The other people whom he wants to pay tribute to are Gandhi and Mother Teresa. Jems left the back open, symbolizing the tragedy that MLK life was cut short, and he wasn’t able to complete his life’s work. Jems choose the quote of MLK for the sculpture. jemskokobi@aol.com

Now walk ahead to the right, and look up in the trees for Roger Rigorth’s sculpture. He is from Otzberg Germany. Roger carved the wood section from a dead redwood tree on campus. The woven part is Jute—which unfortunately the squirrels like to incorporate into their nests! It is interesting how different people see different things here—fish, birds, blimps! R.rigorth@web.de or info@roger-rigorth.de

Proceeding further, across the parking lot behind the library, you’ll see two circles of trees. These are part of a permanent installation planted in the 1980’s by Maria Nordman, a artist from Venice, Ca. This project was organized by George Ketterl. The stand of trees on the left are sequoias, and the stand on the right is ginkos. Both species are some of the oldest trees in the world. This installation is quite famous , and is mentioned in several books on earthwork related work. The trees were planted carefully and situated directionally.

If you proceed further down the road towards Stockdale Highway, you will see a kinetic (wind driven) sculpture made of bicycle parts and recycled cans. This was done by a student with the assistance of our tech, Horse Robinson.

Head across the street, and back towards the main part if the campus. You’ll see a building on stilts—head to the right of it. As you go by, look up at the architecture on the side of the wall! Do you see something strange? This is an architectural installation by Cornelia Konrads called “Knotty Sculpture”. Some of what makes this piece so interesting is that it is site specific. When Konrads arrived, she had no idea what she would do, until she walked around the campus and found things of interest. This sculpture was a departure from her usual installations, many of which involve stone walls with elements that appear to be floating . Konrads resides in Germany and France. http://www.cokonrads.de/

Proceed up the steps and head toward the dorms to your right, across campus.

When you get where you can see the first fish pond, check it out. You’ll see a dragon tail, on the far end by Byoung Tak Mun, from Busan, South Korea.

here is a village where Byoung is from, with a legend about seven dragons. The dragons symbolize man’s interaction with the environment. Byoung’s dragons are angry at man’s disregard for nature, and they are buried in the ground, with only their tails showing. Our dragon tail is the last in his series of seven, and the only one in the United States. The others are located in Korea, Germany. Ours is made of rebar frame, with internal sticks. We literally had to screw it out of the sculpture yard! . Munbt69@paran.com www.effort.pe.kr

Head more to the left, toward the Business Development Building. In the courtyard there is a stainless steel sculpture by Ted Kerzie (past Professor of Art at CSUB). Ted is more known for his paintings, which reflect his love of flying ( see the one in the library). This is one of his few sculptures and is called “Eclipse”.

Go back now and head more to the right toward the education building. On the knoll, you’ll see a wood sculpture, “called Breathing” by Bongii Park. We had permission to take dead wood from the ancient forest above Lake Isabella. Students nailed branches together, and later Bongii sculpted with a chain saw. Endangered kit foxes have made their burrows under the sculpture, giving the sculpture a protected status. Bongii Park is from Pusan Korea. Bongi32@hanmail.cnet

If you proceed through Dorothy Donohue Hall, turning right on the other side, you’ll see one of the last remaining of the first sculptures . made about twenty nine years ago. This ceramic sculpture done by Julia Klemek of Irvine California was nicknamed “Little Stonehendge” by students on campus.

We hope you have enjoyed the sculptures on our campus. If you have any feedback, please write to Joyce Kohl, jkohl@csub.edu