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Show Reporter tells of experiences with WSC ort class u-u r.,i and three star-like noints of lieht an- I Harold Davis Staff Reporter Editor's Note: The following piece is the reporter's experiences while joining a field trip for a WSC sculpture class sponsored by the Art Department co-taught by James Macbeth and Jim Jacobs. As the first glow of day seeped in the culvert, there was a mad dash for clothing and gear to insure meeting the evacuation deadline. The event was on the sunrise of June 21 at the "Sun Tunnels" sculpture in the west desert. After spending the night in the tunnel oriented for the summer solstice sighting the culverts three occupants vacated to leave a clear view for the 25 or so other early risers to greet the first official summer sun Huddled around small fires for warmth in the cool desert pre-dawn, people sipped coffee and awaited Sol's grand entrance. As the sun crested the hill a glow could be seen behind the dense cloud and three star-like points of light ap peared on the cloud's edge. An almost religious feeling was to be had as one considered the ancients at Stonehenge, Chaco Canyon and any other site where the measurement of the sun's solstices have been measured and recoreded and may have spiritual overtones.The sun crested and was met by the click of shutters on the many cameras there. Once the disc had fully ascended from its repose, the revelers turned their backs to the sight and returned to their fires and coffee. Conversations turned to the mundane and the excitement started to fade. A few returned to marvel and reflect and observe the patterns cast in the tunnels as the sun projected through the "star holes." Then camp was broken gear packed and departures made. The sculpture was soon left alone to keep the sesert company as its concrete exterior blended with the alkali soil and the slouds of dust sent airborne by the departing guests. The Signpost is looking for a few good men, women or children Applications now available for summer and fall positions. Sign up with your local Signpost recruiter U.B. 267 or down the hall from the Games Area which ever comes first. ""' . .. " .. .. ' " " " . ....... . , i i .WMft-air-,...- ..v. . ' fat WSC ART CLASS examines the "Sun Tunnel" sculpture (Signpost photo: Judd Bundy) Pipes comprise 'Sun Tunnels' Harold Davis Staff Reporter Four miles southwest of Lucin, Utah are four large concrete culverts set in an open "X" pattern. The pipes comprise a sculpture entitled "Sun Tunnels". The sculpture was done by New York artist Nancy Holt and consists of sections of concrete pipe, 18 feet long, eight feet inside diameter, and weighing 22 tons per section. The significance of the sculpture lies not so much in the materials, but in the setting and alignment of the pieces. The culverts are aligned to sight the sunrise and sunset on the summer and winter solsitces. The sculpture was erected over a three year period and was completed in 1976. The pipe sections are arranged to center the rising and setting sun on the days of solstice while standing on a sighting point in the center of the sculpture. Each of the tunnels has a number of holes, between seven and ten inches in diameter, cut through the walls, to represent the constellations of Draco, Perseus, Columba and Capricorn. The solstices occur around June and December 21 of each year when the sun reaches its southern and northernmost positions in the sky. The summer solstice is the longest period of daylight in the year, and the winter solstice the shortest. Holt says that by marking the extreme positions of the sun, the sculpture indicates the "cyclical time" of our solar year. Holt has done other outdoor works, a series of- "Buried Poems" and "Missoula Ranch Locators" inMontana. Symphony offers Beethoven The Utah Symphony starts the summer with a feast of Beethoven and several of the great composers' monumental works. Musir Director Joseph Silverstein will lead the orchestra, soloists and chorus in the Ninth Symphony and Egmont Overture at Symphony Hall Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m.; a performance which is part of the 11th Annual Utah Arts Festival. Maestro Silverstein will conduct the Fifth Symphony. He is conductor and soloist in the Violin Concerto at Snowbird, Saturday, June 27 at 4 p.m. Individual tickets are $10, $12 and $15 at Symphony Hall, and $10 at Snowbird. The 26 admission price includes a $2-off coupon for admission to the Utah Arts Festival. For more information call 533-6407. Program, fireworks bang at WSC Utah Symphony wishes to start the summer with a bang a pops program and fireworks. The free concert begins at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at Weber State College's Lindquist Plaza in Ogden. Christopher Wilkins conducts the orcestra in a delightful evening of music, topped by a spectacular display of firewords and cannons. The program includes Hungarian dances of Brahms. Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Gershwin's Strike Up the Band, selections from Bizet's Carmen, Sousa's Stars and Stripes, and the Star Spangled Banner. The concert is sponsored by the Ogden S- .my Ballet Association. For mori . oimation call 399-9214. |