On Oct. 28, the Student Government Association overwhelmingly voted to remove Cicely Carew’s “Rooted” art piece from Krentzman Quad after more than 1,870 students signed a petition arguing for its removal.
The art piece, often compared to the truffula trees from Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax,” was installed in April as part of President Joseph E. Aoun’s Public Art Initiative, which began in 2014 with a goal of utilizing creative expression to build stronger global communities.
The legislation calls on the university to remove “Rooted” from Krentzman Quad and work with students regarding future installations of public art projects. The measure passed with 52 senate members in favor and 12 abstaining.
“Our mandate is to represent the student body and advocate those concerns to administration,” said international business major Julian Herzing-Burkard, vice president of campus affairs for the Student Government Association, or SGA. “We can do what we can do given our mandate, and we believe we have fulfilled that, too.”
Chair of the Campus Planning Advisory Board for SGA’s campus affairs division and fourth-year politics, philosophy, and economics major Zi Glucksman said SGA has spoken to Northeastern’s administration on the issue but is not certain on the university’s standpoint or plan for the display going forward. Though SGA can pass resolutions recommending the university take action, it’s ultimately up to Northeastern’s leaders to implement changes.
Northeastern media relations did not respond to The News’ request for comment about what it plans to do with the installation.
The art installation consists of five 15-foot-tall structures made of steel, aluminum mesh and translucent plexiglass meant to resemble flowers. Carew told the university-run media outlet Northeastern Global News that the goal of the art piece was to “inspire wonder and allow for enchantment.”
“Her messaging for the art is actually really beautiful, and if you look at her website, the art that she creates is fabulous,” Glucksman said. But he added that the “location does not really match up exactly with the intentions of the art: bringing color to a utilized but overlooked location.”
The SGA resolution said the main reasons for removing the installation included the historical value of Krentzman Quad, its importance for graduation photos and the discoloration of the exhibit despite artist’s claims that it would withstand the elements.
“The art installation is idiosyncratic and incongruous with the iconic character of Northeastern’s historic modernist white brick architecture,” the document reads. The resolution also says students should be consulted on public art projects moving forward.
According to SGA survey results shared with The News, 276 of 318 students polled, or 86.8% of respondents, said they disliked or strongly disliked “the installation as it exists today.” SGA’s poll, conducted the week of Oct. 28, also found that more respondents disliked or strongly disliked the location of the art rather than the art itself.
“I think that the loofah trees are ugly and an eyesore. With any art, there is an inspiration behind them. Northeastern has done an atrocious job at publicizing why they are there,” said second-year psychology major Quinn Shoffner. “I don’t think they’re a good addition to the campus, and I absolutely support taking them down. They don’t add anything positive to the campus and are ugly.”While some students dislike “Rooted,” others said they support Northeastern’s public art initiative, including the Krentzman installation.
“I appreciate that the trees add a pop of color on campus; however, I think the university should have consulted the student body before installing the art,” said first-year political science and international affairs combined major Madaline Turula.
Universities across the nation have implemented similar public art initiatives, including Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon’s initiative aims to promote artistic expression among people “from all walks of campus life” and allows the student body to help select the art on campus.
The Carnegie Undergraduate Student Senate and the Graduate Student Assembly voted to install an art submission by first-year School of Art student Bella Alt entitled “Four Birds” in August. Her work was chosen from 32 submissions by 25 students or teams of students, which underwent a process of reviews by students and faculty.
“I think a really important part of the legislation is the fact that it requires administration to engage with students on future decision-making regarding public art on campus,” Glucksman said. “It states that the administration needs to engage with the Northeastern community and specifically students.”
