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Located at the center of Indiana University’s Fine Arts Plaza, thousands pass Showalter Fountain on a daily basis, perhaps pausing on a hot summer day to enjoy the cool mist blowing in the breeze. The central focus of the fountain is a sculpture created by Robert Laurent – IU Professor of Sculpture from 1942 until his retirement in 1960 – representing the mythological story of the Birth of Venus. In understanding Laurent and his work, one of his main objectives was to create interaction between people and his sculptures, here creating a certain sense of lightness and humor.

This exhibit draws from the extensive collection of the Indiana University Archives, including early concept drawings for the fountain as a whole by the architects Eggers and Higgins showing a vastly different fountain from what we know today, preparatory drawings by Robert Laurent for the Birth of Venus sculpture itself, as well as numerous photographs, pamphlets and correspondence relating to the project and its benefactor Grace Showalter.

The exhibit will run until May 30, 2010 and is located at the IU Archives, in Wells Library E460
 
This exhibit is in collaboration with the Indiana University Art Museum exhibit The Great American Sketchbook: Drawings from the August L. and L. Tommie Freundlich Collection (running from March 27 – May 30, 2010) which also includes a Robert Laurent preparatory drawing for the Birth of Venus.

Curated by intern Bethany Fiechter.