Founder’s Garden Installation Approved

Junior Fibers and Materials Studies major Lauren Koch was recently approved to install a piece in The Founder’s Garden. To get her installation approved, Koch went through an extensive application process.

“I filled out an installation control form, which is basically a description of the work, date and time of the installation, and a drawing of the piece itself,” Koch said. “After getting the signature of my professor, Pazia Mannella, I returned it to be reviewed by Tyler’s Assistant Dean, Carmina Cianciulli. Because I chose to install it on Temple’s campus, it also needed to be reviewed by the Director of Student Center Operations, Jason Levy, and the Superintendent of Grounds, Glenn Eck. After their review it was approved!”

Getting an installation approved to be placed on campus can sometimes be difficult, but Koch was unaware of this when she chose The Founder’s Garden as the location for her installation.

“I walk through The Founder’s Garden every day, and I had been admiring the spot where I installed my piece for a week or two. I chose to install my piece there because it is generally quiet and not as hectic as other places on campus. I also really love all of the daffodils in the gardens there and wanted them as a back drop for my piece,” Koch said. “I wasn’t told that it would be tough for it to be approved, but I still wasn’t so sure that it would be because in the control form it states that installations cannot be placed where plants can be harmed. I assured Carmina that I would not step on any daffodils.”

For her piece, Koch was inspired by artist Ted Hallman and his piece “Tree Form.”

“I always work with a specific palette so I chose my colors based on that. I also researched banyan trees, which I feel my piece is reminiscent of,” Koch said. “I was interested in the belief that they represent immortality because of their ever descending roots. I tend to produce my work though repetitive techniques. Having recently learned knitting, I chose this repetitive technique to produce my branch/root forms.”