David L. Eisler, FSU President
Good morning and welcome to Ferris State University.
It is a truly a pleasure to gather in this most amazing facility for the final touch needed to make this facility complete. A library is much more than a repository of knowledge, a record of history and thought, and in this case a marvel of technology. For student and scholar alike, a library is a place to rest, reflect, and ponder. In that context I can think of nothing more fitting for this truly remarkable place than a great, thought provoking work of art.
During my few short weeks at Ferris I have developed a deep and lasting admiration for Robert Barnum. The results of his efforts for art are evident throughout this campus.
I see it in the truly extraordinary Michigan Art Walk. I watch it each morning as the sun rises through the wonderful soaring sculpture of birds he and his students created above the lobby of the Timme Building.
For me there is a characteristic to each of Robert’s works and projects. I believe he uses each effort to continue to stretch and grow as an artist. While there is considerable risk in such an approach, the genius behind this is never more evident than in the work to be unveiled today.
As one reflects on the arduous process that led to the creation of this work I am reminded of the great Renaissance painters, lying on their backs for years as they produced works we still enjoy today. From its gestation with content collaboratively developed on campus, its creation when paint was applied to canvas wound around a basement racquetball court, and finally to its display here which brought forth a new series of difficulties mounting it on this curved surface, this has been work that has challenged Robert.
I believe you will also see that it is a work that challenges each of us.
The great painter Pablo Picasso suggests.
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
I believe you will find this is very much the case with “Of Thought and Reason.” Robert, on behalf of our university, thank you so much for a gift that transcends both this place and time.