Williams College Art Display Honors Longtime Professor
 College President Adam Falk said the display reflects the college's values. |
The college revealed 16-foot-long stone tables and benches sandblasted with images of 715 different molecules.
"Hodge was an extraordinary person," said Chip Lovett, a professor and friend of Markgraf, at the opening ceremony. "I know Hodge would be pleased."
Markgraf started an effort to commision artist Jenny Holzer to do a large-scale public art piece but was unable to see it through when he died in 2007. College staff, students and various community members then picked up the reins.
The bench, permanently located in the science quadrangle, is designed to encourage interaction and discussion. Outgoing Williams College Museum of Art Director Lisa Corrin said she will be teaching her first class in public art next semester right there with a guest teacher from the chemistry department.
"There is nothing better than a chemist teaching art history," Corrin said. "It is a participartory sculpture. It invited you to engage."
College President Adam Falk did not know Markgraf but said everything he has heard about the former teacher examplifies the college's values.
"This beautiful work of art will inspire not just the students but the faculty too. It will make us think of our own work and be better," Falk said. "I think it says a lot about our values and who we are."
Markgraf is most known for the witty metaphors he usted while teaching his classes — metaphors that were eventually memorialized on a website.
In more than 50 years on campus, Markgraf was a student — graduating in 1952 — a professor, the secretary to the committee that recommended the college phase out fraternities, and vice president for alumni relations. He retired in 1988 but continued to teach winter study courses and continued researching.
"He loved Williams College. His dedication was boundless," Lovett said.
