When members of the Lehigh community and visitors pass through the new STEPS facility on Lehigh's Asa Packer campus, they're immersed in an artistic vision created specifically for the Lehigh community. The original works of art, created by nationally renowned artist Larry Kirkland, were made possible thanks to the generous contributions of donors who recognize the value of integrating art and architecture throughout the campus.
These donors hope the works of art will inspire, educate and inform a broad population of students, faculty, staff and the greater Lehigh Valley community about the intrinsic and empowering nature of art in all the work done at Lehigh.
Prior to construction, Lehigh engaged Kirkland to create a concept for producing and incorporating original works of art into the new STEPS facility. Kirkland's work is site-specific public art: Each project is created specific to a place and community, and the STEPS artwork is a true reflection of the work that transpires within the facility.
"I want it to inspire future generations to study the environment in a way that keeps this magical place a healthy place," said Kirkland of the project.
The building, which officially opened in August 2010, features four large-scale works of original art created by Kirkland, including:
Tapestry
Kirkland drew from a quote by John Muir: "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." The quote sparked the concept for Tapestry, a black granite floor etched with a design that appears as woven cloth, with a human hand beginning to unravel a single thread. Muir's quote appears on surrounding granite benches within the inner courtyard. Tapestry and the inner courtyard are the gift of Wendy Botwin Supron '81 and Gregory J. Supron '81.
Hub of Life
The back wall of the Stabler wing has been constructed as a granite water wall within the outer courtyard. A wall of water runs over the granite, which is etched with two touching hands-tying a sense of use to being good stewards of our natural resources. The water wall, Hub of Life, and the outer courtyard are the gift of Dale S. Strohl '58.
Castanea Dentata
Etched into a window facing Packer Avenue is an enlargement of a leaf from the American chestnut tree, the one-time canopy of eastern forests that was decimated by a fungus but is now being reintroduced. Through the glass you can see the stone façade of Packard Laboratory. The etched window, Castanea Dentata, is a gift of Lorraine R. and Lewis J. Baer '72, '07P, '15P, and Gary L. and Amy Roland Churgin '77.
Tree of Life
Kirkland also saw great opportunity in the STEPS atrium, the nexus where the building comes together. A large, multi-story window features an etched tree and its roots, created by Kirkland and Robert Wood. Trees and roots, says Kirkland, symbolize who we are as a people and how we treat the earth. The prominent etching, the Tree of Life, illuminated at night, is a gift of the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation.
"It is my hope that Lehigh will see the STEPS' integration of art and architecture as a template for all future construction projects," says Nancy Berman, president of the Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation and chair of the Board of Trustees Cultural Affairs Committee.
"Art adds meaning to the purpose and experience of the building and the teaching that will take place there. Larry Kirkland has developed a series of monumental yet sensitive images that reflect the nature of this building and the key environmental issues that our society has to face in the next century. The art communicates and symbolizes our human responsibility to use a Lehigh education to innovate and solve pressing problems in the world."
