Signe Oritz

1986

Commissioned by Carleton

This huge woven sculpture (22 feet by 17 feet) hangs on the main floor of the library against the east wall beside a bank of windows. Artist and Carleton Alum (‘34), Signe Oritz, began her process by studying the lighting conditions and colors in the space in 1985 and finished the sculpture one year later when she assembled it on the wall which informed her decision to resolve the top of the panels, letting the space influence the piece. 

The sculpture was completed with the help of three professional weavers, Patucal Drum, Jane Rademacher and Jaque Foust. The metal brackets were designed and crafted by Michael Christipherson, a sculptor. Ortiz is quoted as saying “Art is often a lonely business. The opportunity for coordinated effort is unusual and this project proved to be a joy.” (Fiber Sculpture, 1). 

When the sculpture was installed, Carleton art professor Ray Jacobson said “this is a quality piece of work whose texture, color, and scale contribute interest and warmth to that space”. (Pamphlet of the dedication of the fiber sculpture). With her sculpture, Oritz hoped that, “since a library is a place which fosters growth–intellectual and spiritual–some of these qualities of life will be experienced by those who come to view this weaving” (Fiber Sculpture, 1).