Vikings, University of Southern Maine, Portland Campus - Portland, ME
Posted by: NorStar
N 43° 39.717 W 070° 16.572
19T E 397102 N 4835118
The sculpture located to one side of the Luther Bonney Hall is a relatively flat piece that abstractly shows a Viking ship and sun.
Waymark Code: WMPXH1
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 11/04/2015
Views: 2
In Portland, on the campus of the University of Southern Maine, is this sculpture entitled, Vikings.
The campus of the University of Southern Maine is located north of downtown Portland. The closest entrance is off Bedford Street, between U.S. Route 1 and Maine Route 25. The courtyard where the sculpture is located is on the west side of Luther Bonney Hall to the right of the entrance when facing it.
The sculpture is a metal sculpture with a patina on a concrete base. The dimensions listed on the Smithsonian entry is "7 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 11 in. x 1 ft. 6 in.; Base: approx. 2 ft. x 3 ft. x 2 ft. 10 in." I did not find a plaque or sculptor mark - the entry lists the sculpture as "unsigned." The form is an abstract that generally suggests a Viking ship with the dragon bows and a circle that may be the sun.
The following text comes from the University of Southern Maine web site:
"VIKING SHIP SCULPTURE - In October, 1967 the Student Senate voted to look into the possibility of obtaining a piece of sculpture on a Viking theme to serve as the campus symbol. The Art Department was contacted and the Spring of 1968 brought a model of a sculpture by Mr. John Risley of Wesleyan University, called “The Viking Ship and the Midnight Sun”. After much discussion pro and con (some students wanted a 10’ tall statue of a Viking in full battle regalia), the Senate agreed to the model, and it was completed and received by December, 1969. A decision for its placement was finally made. The base was constructed and the Ship was ensconced in the outdoor court of Luther Bonney Hall."
Source:
University of Southern Maine (Portland):
(
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