Sculpture highlights new art in HSEC at Kearney

A large aluminum sculpture inspired by the Platte River is part of $160,000 in new artwork being installed in the UNMC Health Science Education Complex on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus.

A rendering of the art installation at the UNMC Health Science Education Complex on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus.

The project — a partnership between UNK, UNMC and Nebraska Arts Council — is funded by the 1% For Art program, which places art in Nebraska’s state buildings, colleges and University of Nebraska system.

The new artwork, titled “River At Dawn,” is a suspended sculpture that builds on the braided river theme implemented in the building by RDG Planning and Design. The silhouette of the sculpture as seen from outside the building is based on the path of the Platte River as it flows through Nebraska.

The piece of art weighs 250 pounds, measures 50 feet long and consist of hundreds of colorful anodized aluminum pieces and reflective sheen that alludes to a Midwest sunset reflecting on water. It will be hung this spring.

The sculpture was created by San Francisco artist Daniel Goldstein, whose woodblock prints, collages and sculptures have been exhibited in leading galleries and museums across the world.

“The river is a perfect metaphor for a health science education building. A river spreads out over great distances while enriching its surroundings, so will the students who emerge from this center of learning,” Goldstein said.

The $19 million UNMC Health Science Education Complex opened in August. Located on the UNK campus, classroom and lab spaces are shared by College of Nursing and College of Allied Health Professions students.

Nebraska’s 1% for Art law has been in effect since 1978 and generated more than $3.5 million in artwork for Nebraska’s state buildings, state colleges and university system.

In addition to the Goldstein piece, artwork inside the HSEC also has been purchased from Nebraska artists James Bockelman, Berly Brown, Ben Darling, Gary Day, Stephen Dinsmore, Michael Farrell, Charles Guildner, Karen Kunc, Michael Larsen, Diane Lounsberry-Williams, Deborah Murphy, Christina Narwicz, John Spence, Barbara Takenaga and Bart Vargas.

Selected artwork was chosen by the 1% for Art committee, which consisted of representatives from the UNMC Colleges of Allied Health Professions and Nursing, UNK, UNMC, the project agency, arts professionals and public constituents.