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Tornado of Ideas
2003-04
TOM OTTERNESS (AMERICAN)
Bronze
Student Union Building
The artist’s cast bronze contains characters that play a role
in the narrative of this piece. At the base is a house splitting
in two from the force of a tornado; books flying through the
spiraling storm form the bulk of the piece. Titles on the books
reflect conflicting ideologies; symbolically, these polar ideas
fuel the tornado’s energy. Seated inside the divided house is
a plump prairie dog eating coins. Riding high atop the piece
is the artist’s rendering of the Masked Rider, kicking her feet
triumphantly in the quest for truth. Otterness hopes this piece
provokes discussion and discovery among viewers.
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