Looking up — Art feature takes shape

Construction is nearly complete on a 120-foot light tower in the UNMC Student Plaza east of the Sorrell Center. The piece was designed by internationally-renowned artist James Carpenter.

Feature photos View images of the new campus art feature taken from various spots on campus.

Landscaping around the piece — which will include lights that will illuminate the tower at night — will be installed and a formal dedication ceremony for the piece will be held at a later date.

Carpenter is known for his use of light reflections. Some of his other notable projects include:

• Podium and curtain wall of 7 World Trade Tower in New York;
• Threshold Sculpture for the Sidney Olympic Games; and
  
• Brooklyn Bridge Park Multi-Use Recreation Pavilion.

A committee that included several UNMC faculty and staff members, students, Omaha community members and medical center alumni selected Carpenter’s piece –his first in Nebraska — from several others proposed by other artists.

The art feature was paid for entirely by private donations. Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott were the lead donors for the art piece as part of a 2008 gift for the construction of the UNMC student plaza.

The piece is considered a key component in the creation of UNMC’s academic campus.

UNMC Today will soon feature an interview with Carpenter about the tower.