Public Artwork at Dartmouth College

The Dartmouth College campus is a great campus for its walk-ability and beauty. Other than the many trees and old buildings, there are many sculptures which add to the refreshing feeling you get from walking around the campus. Most of the public spaces formed around these works of art are used by both students and the surrounding community, making the campus a dynamic setting for connections between people and the non-university area. Anyone can feel welcome to relax and enjoy the works of art while appreciating the campus and city of Hanover.

One of the first works of art that I observed was the giant swing and metal sculpture behind the Baker-Berry Library in the center of campus. This sculpture was moved from the art area of Dartmouth and is a great addition to the current space. While it is important to have grassy areas for people to sit on, especially for college students looking for a place to study, the previous openness of this walkway to the library made it feel barren and uncomfortable. With the large sculpture to match the grandness of the nearby library, the space feels more welcome. The swing is particularly important because it adds a level of playfulness to the space, encouraging people to take time to swing or more closely observe the sculpture. The industry theme of the art piece also perfect for the setting of a college campus, encouraging diligence among Dartmouth students.

Usually, people would spend little time in this grassy space, and instead use it just to get from place to place. However, the sculpture makes this area a public space that is more inviting and clearly able to be enjoyed by those walking by.

The second public space between Steele and Wheeler Hall is interesting for the architectural sculpture placed between the two buildings. The benches placed strategically in front of this sculpture invites people to take some time to sit down and observe the piece of art. Ordinarily, many may not take the chance to spend time in this area as it is surrounded by roads and does not have much plant life. However, the sculpture informs passersby that this is a place that is able to be visited. The piece of artwork is what creates the public space around it. I have also seen many children climb around and on the structure, making it appreciated by all ages. The steady growth in height of the sculpture also leads anyone walking on the path towards the entrance of Steele, which might be too hard to pick out from behind the trees. This abstract piece is important because it productively fills in what used to be an untouched and empty space.

The many other art sculptures on the Dartmouth campus have a similar effect. These art pieces create a public space around them, making the campus much more welcoming. People enjoy walking around this area, because of the public art, making the campus an integral connection between the surrounding community of Hanover and Dartmouth students.