Statue of Limitations

Nobody pretends that U.Va., as a whole, harbors anything besides friendly indifference for the arts (by this I do not mean a capella groups). One artsy-fartsy school per state ought to be enough, seems to be the general consensus. So it should come as no surprise that the sculpture division of the art department is going gentle into that good night (as it were), at least for a semester. William Bennett, the department's only sculpture professor, will be on leave next fall, and while he's gone, the sculpture division disappears. Since he'll be gone only one semester, he will receive his salary, as per standard university practice, and there is not enough money to hire a replacement instructor. Whether this is a university or department issue I am not sure. Either way, Mr. Bennett returns to a job. There is talk of starting a Sculpture Club in the interim, but some are doubtful.

Sculpture is perhaps the most rapidly growing discipline in the art world; it is an increasing presence in modern art museums, and is currently the "hottest" field (if you will pardon my use of the word). This presence, however, is not reflected in the university art department, which is heavily weighted toward painting. There are four painting professors to the one sculpting professor, and only one-and-a-half sculpture majors. U.Va., it would appear, is as out of touch in this area as it is in, say, issues of sexuality.

"But wait!" you say. "There's a big Rodin show coming, and all the rich people will give the art department money to build a wonderful new facility, a veritable Shangri-La of printing presses and turpentine!" Indeed. Undoubtedly the new building will house better sculpture facilites; the art department in general is in sore need of improved conditions and equipment. It won't be built within your academic career, though. And what's the point of a big building with not enough professors in it?

It looks to me that this is a problem of misplaced priorities. The university is investing in the long term, without any consideration of present needs. And while erecting facilities is the university's usual method of distracting both students and alumni from more pressing academic concerns, I don't believe that it's an appropriate excuse for not solving more immediate academic problems.

-- JLP