Flatlanders installation catalog, 1992
Title
Flatlanders installation catalog, 1992
Description
In the fall of 1992, Bradley University hosted an outdoor art installation known as the Flatlanders. Bradley received grant money from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and invited artist Alvin Paige to bring his unique sculpture to campus.
Alvin Paige was an internationally known, award-winning environmental sculptor. At the time of the installation, he served as the artist-in-residence and director of programming at the American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Writing in the exhibition catalog, Paige stated, “I had a fringe intention to address through art the ethnic and racial diversity of the campus, and to provide an opportunity for students to work with a multicultural artist.”
Flatlanders was a term from the state of Vermont used to describe city tourists. The installation consisted of between 17 and 20 clay-faced human forms, measuring 7-feet tall, covered with grass and wearing black sunglasses. The installation was designed to change as it weathered, with the white faces taking on warm reddish brown, golden yellow and other subtle tones as the figures stood outside exposed to the elements.
The exhibit received mixed reviews. Some students felt the installation was a waste of money and space, dubbing the figures “chia people” in reference to the popular chia pet terracotta figurines whose sprouts resembled fur or hair. Other students made their opinions on the sculptures known in more unfavorable ways. The exhibition was vandalized more than once during the course of the semester, resulting in the arrests of two students.
However, reaction was not all negative. Many students volunteered to help the artist with setup and a group of 20-30 students organized to protect the sculptures from further abuse keeping night time vigils until it was dismantled on November 6th.
Alvin Paige was an internationally known, award-winning environmental sculptor. At the time of the installation, he served as the artist-in-residence and director of programming at the American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Writing in the exhibition catalog, Paige stated, “I had a fringe intention to address through art the ethnic and racial diversity of the campus, and to provide an opportunity for students to work with a multicultural artist.”
Flatlanders was a term from the state of Vermont used to describe city tourists. The installation consisted of between 17 and 20 clay-faced human forms, measuring 7-feet tall, covered with grass and wearing black sunglasses. The installation was designed to change as it weathered, with the white faces taking on warm reddish brown, golden yellow and other subtle tones as the figures stood outside exposed to the elements.
The exhibit received mixed reviews. Some students felt the installation was a waste of money and space, dubbing the figures “chia people” in reference to the popular chia pet terracotta figurines whose sprouts resembled fur or hair. Other students made their opinions on the sculptures known in more unfavorable ways. The exhibition was vandalized more than once during the course of the semester, resulting in the arrests of two students.
However, reaction was not all negative. Many students volunteered to help the artist with setup and a group of 20-30 students organized to protect the sculptures from further abuse keeping night time vigils until it was dismantled on November 6th.
Creator
Alvin Paige; Cover photo by Tyson Joye
Date
1992
Subject
Installations (Art)
Rights
For official publication permission or to request high resolution images, contact Special Collections at specialcollections@bradley.edu or (309)677-2822.
Citation
Alvin Paige; Cover photo by Tyson Joye, “Flatlanders installation catalog, 1992,” Virginius H. Chase Special Collections Center, accessed May 8, 2024, https://bradleyspecialcollections.omeka.net/items/show/29.