Caged and Confused - Denton, TX - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The University of North Texas was still North Texas State University when Barrett DeBusk completed his M.F.A. in 1986. Various dates can be found for the sculpture's construction -- that "1976" on the identification sign may be a typo for "1986" -- including 1980 and 1982 (which is what the Smithsonian has). It was created for the College of Visual Arts and Design Annual Voertman Student Art Competition, and was purchased when DeBusk won an award in that competition.

Inspired by church steeples, the sculpture stands about 11' high and 16' wide. The Smithsonian remarks that, "The work is a comment on his relationship with the University which is represented by the beams. The artist is represented by the boulder." and describes it thus:

Abstract piece consisting of six beams formed into a teepee-like structure. The legs of the beams form a circle, and the tops of the beams flare outward and upward uniformly from this circle. A boulder bound by reinforced rods is suspended in the center of the beam structure. The piece is representative of the need to conform and lose a bit of individuality in order to learn new things.

For the record, a sign in front of the sculpture reads:

Barrett DeBusk
American, b. 1955
MFA Sculpture 1986

Caged and Confused
I-beams, rebar, stone

Purchase of College of Visual Arts and Design, Art in Public Places Collection, UNT.2010.12

TITLE: Caged and Confused ARTIST(S): Barrett DeBusk DATE: 1982 MEDIUM: Steel I-beams, rebar, and brown sandstone. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS TX000206 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: 1201 W Mulberry St, Denton, TX 76201 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: Not much to add, although most would refer to those rods holding the bell as "rebar". There are some extant photos of the sculpture that suggest it may have been moved a few feet to this location, but nothing dramatic.

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