Texas Tech University

Innovation Hub Public Art Dedication

The dedication for artist Marco Cianfanelli's steel sculpture "Knowledge Structure," was held Jan. 21.

The 17-foot-tall mild steel sculpture, designed to rust over time, was designed and created to relate to the work that goes on at the Innovation Hub and Research Park. It is meant to change in appearance from different vantage points. "From some angles it appears to be a naturalistic tree, exploring geometric construction in nature," said Emily Wilkinson, Texas Tech's public art director. "From other angles it represents a human brain, connected to the ground by five vertical conduits or columns.

A parallel is drawn between tree and intellect. The trunks and branches represent a notion of different disciplines which are connected, interrelated and interdependent, sharing resources and displaying a process of growth and interconnectedness," Wilkinson said. "The form of the human brain is evident, a neural network that is connected to, as well as dependent on, the earth. In this sense, the five columns or trunks that support the brain can be seen as conduits. This concept emphasizes the importance of innovation, science and technology in the furthering of humanity, as endeavors that need to be responsive to and in synergy with, the environment."

The newest piece of public art on the Texas Tech University campus is part of the university system's 1 Percent for Art program.