Mirror
Jaume Plensa
Painted stainless steel
Central Quadrangle
Gift of Bill and Stephanie Sick
The principal concept in this piece is that of dialogue. The two figures face one another as if in perpetual, silent conversation. They could represent two friends, a teacher and student, lovers, or parent and child. The title, Mirror, is the act that the figures perform for one another — standing as reflections of the other’s thoughts and dreams. There is room enough between the two figures for the viewer to stand and “enter” the conversation. The figures are modeled in letters from eight alphabets – Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hindi, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin and Russian. The artist considers this dialogue and interaction as central to learning, and more importantly to understanding, between people and cultures.
The sculpture is located in the Rev. William A. Lawson Grove between Herring Hall and Brochstein Pavilion.