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Student union's 'Glyph'
While walking through the south entrance of the UA Memorial Student Union, one canāt miss the towering metal statue sitting silently on its pedestal like a steel sentinel. The statue, called "Glyph," stands 16 feet tall and weighs 2800 pounds. The inner structure is made of half-inch thick utility steel and is covered by 14-gauge stainless steel. Don Haskin, a former professor emeritus at the University of Arizona Art department, completed the statue in 1971. It cost about $4,000 to build and is now worth $17,000. "Glyphs were information or teaching, and itās a good symbolism for learning," Haskin said. With the student union set to be demolished this summer, there are plans to save the statue and move it to a new location. Lee Parry, UA Professor of Art, said the statue will be placed in the middle of a garden on the northeast side of the new student union building. Haskin was surprised when he learned of these plans. "Itās a little extravagant. The statue is an ugly mother," Haskin said, "They should paint a couple of targets on it so people can throw rocks at it. "Itās like any creative piece. It's acceptable, but it's not great." Wildlife decided to compare student opinions about "Glyph," with those of the artist.
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"It's blinding. Somebody said that it looked like E.T. playing basketball, but I never look at it, honestly. It makes me think of better statues I've seen."
"I think they should have a different sculpture up there, one that represents everyone on campus. Everyone goes through here, right, and I don't even know what it is ÷ it's just a piece of metal, kickin' it."
"For some reason, I feel it embodies the sports on campus ÷ it looks like an athlete."
"I don't think it has any meaning to it, but maybe it has the meaning of unity or something. I think it's a very abstract piece, and I don't know why it's there."