Those Triangle Things

Beverly Pepper's sculpture, Thel, located in the greensward in front of the Sherman Fairchild Physical Science Center, unites the 1970s traditions of public architecture and landscaping with a unique and interactive evocation of William Blake's poem of the same name. Or so say the art critics. "The piece is an open-ended question-and- answer to the dialogue of the poem, which itself speaks of the ambiguity between answers and questions," says Hood Museum Director Timothy Rub. Dedicated in 1978, the 135-foot long piece represents a break from the College's tradition. The steel sculpture was created in Pepper's Italian studio and was shipped to the College in pieces. The piece is partially embedded in the ground, and the sod covering several of its surfaces weds the work to the site. Thel has made art restorers out of Facilities, Operations and Management. Rub describes the work as "naturally made for corrosion." While the piece is in pretty decent shape now, Rub says, Thel may have to return to the earth when major conservation work becomes necessary. In short, don't expect it to oudast the Great Pyramid. MICHELLE GREGG '99

William Blake meets heavy metal.