WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Sculptor offers artistic approach to body image
By Summer Lewis Kansan staff writer
Larry Kirkwood wants you to cast away the notion that beauty is only skin deep.
Kurkwood, who has been making casts of people's bodies for about nine years, spoke to about 30 people last night at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union. His Body Image Project is on display at the Kansas Union Gallery,
"This isn't a women's issue," he said of body image problems. "This is a human issue."
Kirkwood, of Kansas City, Mo., is traveling around the United States to exhibit his body casts and lecture on body image. He said that he had been to 60 cities and 32 universities.
He makes casts of human bodies using the same material doctors use. He has made about 500 casts, though only a few are on display at KU.
JILLIAN THORPE/KANSAN
The hardest part of creating the casts was getting the people relaxed and comfortable, Kirkwood said.
"It only takes about 20 minutes to do the actual cast," he said. "But I need a certain amount of time to make a person feel comfortable with me."
The process of making the casts involves peeling molds from bodies and drying the molds, and then painting the casts to "take away the nudity of the mold."
Kirkwood said that some of the
people become too relaxed with him during the molding process.
"I have seen more penis tricks than I care to see for the rest of my life." he said.
Sculptor Larry Kirkwood discusses the concepts behind his work in the Art Gallery in the Kansas Union. Kirkwood has made about 500 plaster and resin casts of people to promote the appreciation of natural beauty.
Kirkwood said he had molds of many different people throughout the years, including someone who died in the 1996 TWA Flight 800 accident in the Atlantic Ocean.
"It made me realize that form will always outlast image, which is why we need to appreciate what we have and not desire an image that can't be achieved," he said.
"Our culture is obsessed with keeping up appearances," he said. "What this does is create an image that is not reality — in fact the image becomes reality."
The desire to look like a certain image comes from culture and advertisements, he said.
He said Americans' obsession with image took away from individual accomplishments. When people focus on appearances, looking good becomes synonymous with being good.
"Men wear a size of clothing, but women are the size they wear," Kirkwood said. "All of the women who I've talked with say they are a size ten instead of saying they wear a size 10."
Kirkwood said that people were looking in the wrong place for beauty.
"Instead of looking inside, people judge personal beauty on what they see on the outside," he said.
Brad Ekstrom, Palatine, Ill.,
sophomore, said that he was interested in the body casts and Kirkwood's theory on body image.
"It is pretty interesting how he does the casts and finds his information on images," he said.
Kirkwood said that he wanted the body casts to help people become more aware of people's prejudices.
"Sexism, racism and ageism are prejudices that are a shortcuts taken by a lazy mind," he said. "People don't take the time to get to know someone, which is what I hope the body casts will make people realize."
Contact Lewis slewis@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Smarsh.
Campus adornment evolves through years
By Rachel Keesee Kansan staff writer
Campus has changed a lot in 47 years.
This drawing shows the proposed "gateway" to the University.
CONTRIBUTED AR
In 1955, the Chi Omega Fountain was dedicated, serving for years thereafter as an unofficial entrance to campus at the west end of Jayhawk Boulevard. But campus expanded westward with the completion of the Daisy Hill residence halls, Learned Hall, Murphy Hall and the Burge Union. A separate campus, West Campus, was established beyond Iowa Street, and the Chi Omega Fountain became a center-point rather than an entryway.
Channette Kirby is a Watson
"It has had its ups and downs, but it's still a beautiful campus," she said.
Library assistant and has watched the campus change during her 32 years as a KU employee.
The University of Kansas' current project to construct a "gateway" to the University in front of the KU Visitor Center at 15th and Iowa streets is designed to serve as a new face for the Lawrence campus. The project includes four stone walls flanking the center's driveways, a huge plaza, a 95-foot sign that reads "The University of Kansas" and the lowering of power lines.
Kirby said people should feel comfortable and welcome on campus.
"I think the environment one studies in or does research in should be conducive to those things," she said. "The quality of our environment has an impact on how we learn."
The University has many areas that create a comfortable student environment, such as Wescoe Beach, Kirby said.
"Some areas make you very uncomfortable, and others make you want to stay there and eat your lunch," she said. "I think KU has done a good job overall."
The spot was chosen because it
Warren Corman, University architect, said the project would cost about $800,000.
"We studied all kinds of gateways before we decided on this design." he said.
had the heaviest traffic and the most visitors.
"We're trying to make a view for visitors so they'll know when they've gotten to the campus," Corman said. "It will be a major, major difference."
He said a dedication ceremony for the gateway would be in September or October.
The project was funded through a private donation from the Robert Malott family, said John Scarfe, director of communications for the Kansas University Endowment Association. It is being built in memory of former Chancellor Deane Malott and his wife Eleanor.
"it's because of the legacy of campus beautification left by Chancellor Malott and Eleanor," Scarffe said.
Contact Keeesat at rkeesee@kansan.com. This story was edited by Anne Mergenmeier and Sarah Smarsh.
Here's your chance to do what other students only read about To get one-on-one training and have a shot at a scholarship worth thousands. It's all part of the Army ROTC Nursing program. Talk to an Army ROTC advisor today. Because it's time you put your passion into practice.
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University of Kansas Army ROTC Call 785-864-1109 or email: goldbar@ku.edu
Attention Sports Fans:
The Kansas Football Office will soon be interviewing for the 2002-2003 Crimson Crew.
If you love sports, KU, and meeting new people, then we want to get you involved with our program. Duties include giving tours of the athletic facilities to football recruits on game days, and other recruiting tasks.
All interested students are asked to attend a meeting in the Hadl Auditorium, 1st floor Wagnon Student-Athlete Center (Located between Allen Fieldhouse and Anschutz)
Thursday, February 28 at 5 PM
Please call the football office at 864-3393 or e-mail us at football@jayhawks.org with questions.
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