Rice Transforms Temporary Classrooms Into Public Art Destinations
Jasmine Zelaya and her site-specific art installation, Detroit Red, on the campus of Rice University. Photo credit: Tommy LaVergne/Rice University.
This fall, Rice University has transformed several new “provisional campus facilities” (PCFs) into vibrant public art installation spaces. The structures, and part of the surrounding environment, feature works by Rice University faculty, students and invited artists from the local, national and international community.
According to Rice University two of the first collaborations feature the work of Houston artists Allison Hunter and Jasmine Zelaya. “Zelaya, whose flower-adorned work can also currently be seen at Discovery Green and Project Row Houses among other spots across the city, painted “Detroit Red” after Zoom discussions with Rice students about what kind of art they’d like to see in their public space. The daughter of Honduran immigrants, Zelaya’s work often explores themes of race, gender, identity and commonality across difference. In “Detroit Red,” two figures stand arm-in-arm, adorned with petals. This motif is both universal, a symbol of growth and renewal, and personal: All the women in Zelaya’s family are named after flowers.” (Rice University Media Relations).
The effort was developed thanks to an interdisciplinary committee of faculty, staff and students organized by the Moody Center for the Arts, which houses the Rice Public Art program.
All of the projects are open to the public and will be on view through May 2021.