Friday Fun Fact

Fun Fact Friday: Art in the Union

 

Ohio License Plate Sculpture

Ohio License Plate Sculpture

The Ohio Union is not just a place for students to meet up with friends, study or catch a bite to eat. The Ohio Union is also a place for students and local artists to showcase their work. The art pieces all around the Ohio Union are done by either student’s from Ohio State, or hold some significance with the building. Learning about the art and artists can give you a better appreciation of the works in the Ohio Union.

Possibly the most recognizable art piece within the Ohio Union is Bronze Brutus. Learn more about his creation in this past blog article. Another very popular art piece in the Ohio Union is the State of Ohio (the Ohio License Plate Sculpture) piece by Jeff Hersey (an OSU alumnus) and Bob Swanson. The State of Ohio piece is located in the Northeast hallway that also houses the bookstore and bank. It is made up of license plates from Ohio, “each in the shape of Ohio’s 88 counties. These two pieces promote the ideals and community of the university, and are among the most photographed pieces throughout the year. From the Columbus community, the Ohio Union has various pieces from the works of Linda Langhorst. She is a Columbus-based painter, and her work can be found throughout the building on both the first and second floor. More information about her and her works can be found online.

The Ohio Union Art Board is responsible for finding and choosing new pieces and deciding where they should be displayed in the building. This board is made up of twelve to fifteen people, both faculty and students of the Ohio State University. The board looks at the art shows of the undergraduate and graduate students working on their Fine Arts degree, as well as other shows the department of art puts on. Once the board finds a piece that they would like to include it in the Ohio Union collection, they purchase the art piece from the student. Once the piece is purchased, it will be placed for its first year in the Ohio Union on the second floor on the walls and in the Art Lounge.

Art is an important part of the Ohio State experience. Just taking the time to look around the Ohio Union you can find many interesting pieces that have unique back stories. If you would like to submit art for display in the Ohio Union, please contact Beth Ullum, Ullum.2@osu.edu.

 

Danny Price Student Lounge where new art pieces are displayed

Danny Price Student Lounge where new art pieces are displayed

The Arches by Linda Langhorst

The Arches by Linda Langhorst located on the second floor of the Ohio Union

 

Fun Fact Friday: Illibuck Trophy

One of the wooden Illibuck Trophies

One of the wooden Illibuck Trophies

To help celebrate this weekend’s football game against the University of Illinois, our Fun Fact Friday is about the Illibuck Trophy.

Did you know that the original trophy traded between Ohio State and the University of Illinois was a live turtle?

The tradition between the two schools began in 1925 with the winner taking possession of the turtle until the following year’s game. The turtle was picked because of its long life expectancy and as a symbol for the beginning of a long rivalry with the schools.

In 1927, the original Illibuck turtle passed away. In the years since, ten wooden Illibucks have been used to carry on the tradition, and the score of each Ohio State/Illinois game is painted on the “shell.”

As the second oldest trophy passed between two Big Ten Conference teams, Ohio State currently leads the rivalry 65 to 30. The two teams play next on Saturday in Ohio Stadium for their 112th meeting.

Do you have a Fun Fact for Friday? Comment below and we may feature your response on the blog!

Friday Fun Fact: Bronze Brutus

Bronze Brutus

Brutus with his bronze counterpart.

Brutus Buckeye has been an iconic image for The Ohio State University since the mascot’s creation in the mid 1960’s. Those who visit the Ohio Union will find a bronze Brutus statue saving a seat for them on the ground floor. You can constantly find students, staff and guests having their picture taken with the Brutus statue.

While he is one of the most photographed pieces on campus, many people don’t know the origin of this work of art. The artist is Renate Burgyan-Fackler, a graduate of The Ohio State University. She was asked to create a statue of Brutus for the new Ohio Union and took eight months to make the statue out of clay, and then cast a wax mold. That mold was sent to Coopermill Bronzeworks in Zanesville to make the final cast. They created twenty different pieces that were then welded together to make the final product and installed prior to the building’s opening in 2010. To learn more about the artist or foundry, visit: http://www.alancottrill.com/coopermill.html and https://chrysalissculpturestudio.com/.

What we see today is an important part of the Buckeye experience. Families and friends come from all over the world, and all wish to have their picture taken with the one and only Bronze Brutus. Made by Buckeyes for Buckeyes, this iconic landmark will stand, or rather sit, for years to come for all to enjoy.  Please share your favorite picture with Bronze Brutus in the comment section.

Detail of the clay version before being set in bronze.

Renate Burgyan-Fackler and her creation.

Renate Burgyan-Fackler and her creation.

Fun Fact Friday – Ohio Union Flags

Over the summer, visitors to the Ohio Union may have noticed work crews in front of the building. This was an exciting project to celebrate the newest additions to the Big Ten Conference.

Historically on Game days, the flags of the Big Ten schools have flown over the Ohio Union. Due to the recent addition of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and the University of Maryland , there are now fourteen teams in the conference. The construction added two new flagpoles to the roof of the Ohio Union.

The Ohio Union is thrilled to add Rutgers and Maryland to the Big Ten as both academic and athletic partners. The flags epitomize the tradition and excellence of all Big Ten universities.

Be sure to look for the new Rutgers flag flying over the Ohio Union on Saturday as Ohio State takes on the Scarlet Knights for Homecoming!

Do you have a Fun Fact for Friday? Comment below and we may feature your response on the blog!

New Big 10 School Flags

New Big 10 School Flags