180 Degree Rotation, Red

Artist / Maker Harvey K. Littleton (American, 1922-2013)

Date1980

Mediumblown and formed glass

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineShort Credit Line: This work of art was purchased with monies donated to the Kenneth Schumacher Memorial Fund with additional acquisition funding provided by Arthur Klein, Rachel Flint, and the generosity and support of Maurine Littleton. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Full Credit Line: This work of art was purchased with monies donated to the Kenneth Schumacher Memorial Fund by Sandra and David Altman, Dorothy and Harvey Andersen, The Bruce and Alice Annear Family, Tonya and Michael Annear, Bernadette and Ambrose Anthofer, Beverly and Duane Baker, Penny and John Barnts, Vera Bass, Daniel Beaver-Seitz, Jan and George Beran, Mary Bonney, Elaine and Reid Bowman, Coon Rapids High School Class of ’67, Patti Cotter and Peter Orazem, Reid Crawford, Fike Corporation, Sarah Fischer and Timothy Kearns, Lula Garnes, Nancy and John Gerken, Connie and Gordon Gymer, Molly and Matthew Helmers, Deb and Rudy Herrmann, ISU Focus Committee, Jane and John Jacobson, April Katz, Barbara and Tim Leeds, Phyllis and Larry Lepke, Janet and Robert Mahan, Rhoda and Richard Mansbach, Helen Neilsen, C.J. and Wes Niles, Janice and John Pearson, Randi and Steven Peters, Julie and Ken Pingrey, Lynette and John Pohlman, Sharon and John Richardson, Sharon and Richard Rodine, Dana, Kurt and Peter Schumacher, Melinda and Jeffrey Schumacher, Jo and Tom Schumacher, John Schumacher, The Schwartz Family, Cynthia Shumate Julie Scott and James Fluck, Cynthia and Gary Seastrom, Joy Seeley, Sue and Steve Seidl, Mack Shelley, Jan and Joe Shirbroun, Diana Shonrock, Gaye and Don Simonson, Clare Smith-Larson and Skip Larson, Harold and Maxine Smouse, Scott Stetcher, Betty Toman, Valerie Williams and Larry Gleason, Joyce and Paul Wray, Alan Yeager with additional acquisition funding provided by Arthur Klein, Rachel Flint, and the generosity and support of Maurine Littleton. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberUM2015.69

Status

Not on view

Collections

Sculpture

Label TextIn the spring of 1985, University Museums was one of only five national museums to exhibit the glass art of Harvey Littleton in Harvey K. Littleton: A Retrospective Exhibition. Littleton, along with Dominic Labino, founded the Studio Glass movement. Littleton and Labino hosted two workshops in 1962 at the Toledo Museum of Art that would forever change ideas about glass as a medium, bringing it into the artist’s studio. Ken Schumacher first designed lighting for University Museums at that 1985 exhibition, and became fascinated with contemporary glass sculpture. He worked alongside Littleton at the installation, conspiring with the artist over the perfect angles to light the spectacular works of glass. Ken was a wonderful friend, supporter, and volunteer to University Museums. His talent in theatrical stage lighting was exceptional and it was University Museums’ great luck that he lent his talent to this and many other exhibitions. When Ken passed away in 2014, his family and friends created a memorial fund in his name. With that fund and the generosity of Maurine Littleton, we purchased Harvey Littleton’s 180 Degree Rotation, Red. This work perfectly displays the virtuosity of glass in its ability to be both reflective and transparent, powerful and fragile. It is a significant work of art and a wonderful addition to our collection of contemporary glass. The staff of University Museums hopes to extend to others the same kindness Ken showed to us, and that this work of art will remind everyone at University Museums and the visitors of the beauty of the art and glass that Ken so enjoyed.

Locations