KU News Release

Photos by Mathew Farley

LAWRENCE — A frozen fountain of plastic water bottles created by a University of Kansas sculpture graduate has been named one of the best public artworks in the United States and Canada.

Americans for the Arts, a leading nonprofit organization that advocates for the arts, cited “Frozen Assets,” created by Matthew Farley, as one of 40 of the year’s best public artworks in its 2010 Public Art Year in Review project. It is the only national award that specifically recognizes public art projects.

The works — in 29 cities in 15 states – were chosen from more than 300 entries and reflect “the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2009,” the group said.

“Frozen Assets” has been displayed the last two winters on KU’s Chi Omega fountain and incorporates multiple arcs of about 1,000 empty water bottles – less than the number of bottles collected each week on campus by KU Recycling. Farley, who graduated with a bachelor’s of fine arts degree from KU in 2009, created the artwork for a special topics class in public art taught by John Hachmeister, associate professor of sculpture.

“When he proposed and created this piece for the public art class I was teaching, the conceptual power and visual appeal of it stood out from the start,” Hachmeister said.  “He overcame structural difficulties and continued to hone his written proposal until this succinct and timely artwork was accepted by the university and put on display. Matt is to be commended for his vision and tenacity.”

During the semester, Farley researched water usage and recycling in preparation for the project.

“What started with an exploration of the sculptural potential of post-consumer plastics led to a heightened awareness of global water issues,” Farley said. “This, in turn, has resulted in an increased perception of the connections between oil and water – a topic that has gained global attention in the recent months.”

Farley’s work is the only artwork in the Midwest selected for the honor.  Seven works are in Texas, six in Washington and New York each and five in California. Other states represented were Arizona, Oregon, Indiana, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Maryland plus British Columbia.

“The response from the KU and Lawrence community has been amazing. It has been a privilege to hear how this work has affected people on multiple levels and it is truly an honor to receive the recognition from the esteemed jurors, artists Helen Lessick and Fred Wilson,” Farley said. “To be included in such an amazing group of artists and public art works is overwhelming.

“I would like to thank the many people who helped realize this project: my professors and fellow students, the Public Art on Campus Committee, EcoUsable Inc., and, of course, the Environmental Stewardship Program at KU.”

Footage of the display was broadcast nationally during the ESPN “Green Game” last December when the sports network highlighted campus sustainability efforts during its broadcast of the KU-Michigan basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse.

Americans for the Arts, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, says it is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.

Farley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Farley of Wichita. He is a Wichita East High School graduate.

More information:

Matthew Farley
http://www.sculpture.org/portfolio/sculptorPage.php?sculptor_id=1003551

List of honorees (PDF)
http://www.artsusa.org/pdf/news/press/2010_panYearInReview.pdf

Americans for the Arts
http://www.AmericansForTheArts.org