As a resident of old RCA, I eat in the Oak-Elm dining hall frequently. The entrance to the facility is adorned by Christian Petersen’s sculpture, “Conversations.” Normally, I pass by with a look to the intricate beauty of the figures. [Thursday] morning was different.

In honor of a birthday, the statues were covered in graffiti. The female students had bras and panties colored on, along with nail polish and makeup. The male student was given a scar and a pair of underwear; along with the phrase, “Nice Ass.”

“Happy 18th birthday, Brianne,” was scrawled across the chest of one of the female figures. “Happy birthday,” and “18,” were written on the heads, feet and bodies of the sculptures. Even the base was not to be saved. Balloons were colored on the brick base, and the phrase “Happy birthday, Brianne. You Rule!” followed.

I find this display disgusting. No matter what your view towards the role of art on campus, there is no justification for debasing a sculpture this way. Wishing your friend a happy birthday is fine; covering a precious work of art with graffiti is obviously not.

I find it unbelievable that the involved students felt that drawing on the statues was a positive way to celebrate their friend’s birthday. It is truly sad that our campus art is viewed as nothing more than a billboard.

Rebekah Dassion

Sophomore

English and Spanish