11 Eye-Catching Works of Art Around Campus

Posted by Ashley Zachariah on November 3, 2015

Binghamton University is an environment that fosters art and creativity. Walking around campus, you will find many interesting sculptures, rich in history and full of symbolism. Here are some of the structures that make our campus unique and beautiful.

1) The Pegasus Statue

The Pegasus Statue has become an iconic symbol of the University. Based on a Greek mythological figure, it was created by Robert Bertoia and was a gift from the Class of 1985. Legend has it that Pegasus was a figure that inspired the spirits of dance, music, literature and memory. The statue was restored by Watson students under the direction of Professor Jim Stark. In the 1950s, Pegasus became the official statue of Binghamton and is recognized as a symbol that students can be proud of. See #11 for the original Pegasus sculpture.

2) The Object

The Object is a destination spot for napping or reading in between classes on a sunny day. Binghamton alumnus Don Walford completed this historic structure as his final project for his bachelor of arts degree in 1967. The interlocking and connecting beams must support one another to make the structure whole, similar to how our student body and staff must work together to achieve greatness.

3) Dynamo

Have you ever wondered what the strange hammer-shaped structure is in Hinman? The wooden structure represents the spirit of the Hinman community. This unique piece was built in the early 1970s by Binghamton alumnus Robert Penfield. Dynamo is based off of a model for an electrical generator. Like a generator, Hinman community members exemplify the characteristics of energy and vitality.

4) Cirrus

Cirrus is known as the sister sculpture of Dynamo at Hinman College. After much decay, both structures were re-created by Watson students under the direction of Professor Jim Stark. Cirrus and Dynamo are said to be the yin and the yang of Hinman’s character; Cirrus is a type of high, feathery cloud, representing Hinman’s creativity and aspiration.

5) Teamwork Sculpture

Teamwork, a roughly 16-foot, iron sculpture by Patrick Curley, was recently installed in front of the Events Center in 2006. The sculpture, designed by Curley, an architect of the Events Center, was a gift from M&T Bank. Both in and out of the classroom, Binghamton strives to create and foster a collaborative environment.

6) The Bearcat Statue

This bronze statue of our Bearcat mascot was sculpted by Brian P. Hanlon in 2011 and weighs roughly 1,000 pounds. The statue embodies our legacy of enthusiasm, loyalty and support. Bearcats are proud to wear their school colors, and are ready to cheer on fellow students at sporting events and beyond.

7) The Peace Quad Rock

At the Peace Quad stands the University motto, "From Breadth Through Depth to Perspective,” on what some call “the tombstone.” When Harpur College was founded in 1950, this guiding philosophy became a central theme. To this very day, the curriculum designed for students at Harpur College of Arts and Sciences remains committed to this principle.

8) The Sundial

Walking to and from class, students frequently pass by the University sundial. The sundial serves as more than just as beautiful piece of art to admire. This nostalgic structure rests above a stainless steel time capsule; this historic preservation of time is to be excavated and opened after 50 years.

9) Sculpture Outside Of Academic Building B

This piece of art was built to honor Mary Ann Swain's years of service to the University. Swain served as provost and vice president for academic affairs, and also served as the director of the doctoral program in nursing. During her more than 20 years at Binghamton, she has focused her research on health development across the entire life-cycle, and the interrelationships among life stressors, healthy development and illness.

10) Structure in front of Glenn G. Bartle Library

Binghamton University tour guides love to stop in front of this unusual looking box near the Bartle Library lobby to discuss the blue light safety system. Although this eccentric structure is often associated with the library, it is actually not a sculpture. Rather, the design is just an interesting cover for a ventilation vent.

11) Wisdom's Triumph (Fine Arts Pegasus Sculpture)

School administrators at the original Harpur College deliberated on what symbol would best encompass the atmosphere they were trying to create for students. Wisdom's Triumph was chosen as the official campus symbol after six years of hard work. On June 10, 1960, the sculpture of the winged horse was placed onto the Fine Arts Building (formerly known as the Classroom-Administration Building). Weighing 182 pounds, this piece of art was designed by Nathaniel Katz, a child prodigy and famous artist.

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