Sculptor creates 'Transformation'

Jason Gulley/Exponent Photographer STAND TALL: Faustino Aizkorbe, a Spanish sculptor, stands with in the scaffolding surrounding his unfinished sculpture. Aizkorbe's work is titled "Transformation" and will be located between the Horticulture and Forestry buildings.

By Kelsey VanArsdall
Campus Editor

Froze in the stance of a man walking forward and looking up to the sky — the artist tried to describe his creation. Because he doesn't speak English fluently, this was the best way he could describe his latest sculpture.

Faustino Aizkorbe, a world-renowned sculptor from Pamplona, Spain, beamed as he stared at his half-constructed sculpture titled "Transformation." The sculpture, which is being constructed between the Horticulture and Forestry buildings on Marstellar Street, is part of a gift to the University from the class of 1952. The class is celebrating its 50th reunion on April 20. The sculpture cost $750,000 and is being paid for by personal gifts from the members of the class. When completed, it will be 40 feet tall and weigh approximately 66,000 pounds.

Aizkorbe sees the work of art as a representation of what Purdue stands for.

"(Purdue) is always evolving, changing and looking to be better, and the students are so willing to learn," Aizkorbe said in Spanish as a translator interpreted.

"Transformation" is being constructed in a column form. Aizkorbe drew an example of the typical architectural columns he sees on some of the buildings in Pamplona. He said although those columns were part of the inspiration for the work, he wanted to make this piece different.

"It's forming (and changing) like a human; it's not just static," Aizkorbe explained to the interpreter.

The sculpture will be Aizkorbe's first work of this size in the United States.

Reid Ricciardi of the University development office said, "It's a really big honor for Purdue to be home to one of (Aizkorbe's) first works 'cause it's here in West Lafayette, not some big gallery in New York."

Two pieces have already been constructed and the other pieces are scheduled to arrive from the customs department in Chicago today.

Aizkorbe said that the work should be done in the next four to five days.

Although he has his own opinions of what "Transformation" represents, Aizkorbe said he hopes that viewers of the work will decide what it means to them personally.

"He has works in Japan, Canada, China, Germany, Spain, Israel and now the U.S.," said Riccardi, "and it's not limited to sculptures. He's helped designed buildings, print reliefs and is also an amateur photographer. His coworkers said that Aizkorbe knows everything.

The idea to have Aizkorbe sculpt the piece came from former Purdue president Stephen C. Beering who had seen Aizkorbe's work before.

The dedication and class reunion will be at 9:30 on April 20 around the sculpture.

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Campus editor: Kelsey VanArsdall

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