The Left-Sided Angel sculpture at Parks Library, the “G-Nome Project” at Molecular Biology and the new Student Health Center have one binding element — they have all been subjects of Iowa State’s public art controversy.

“These sites have all been controversial for different reasons,” said Renee Senter, educational curator for University Museums.

The controversies and the explanations behind them will be discussed during a 45-minute walking tour, “You Call that Art?: Revisiting Past Controversies.”

Sponsored by University Museums, the tour will begin at the Parks Library information desk and end at the Student Health Center.

“Oftentimes the process of art is misunderstood,” Senter said.

“People become upset about public art, and the controversy is stimulating and good if it is complacent.”

Many people are “distrustful of artistic autonomy” because it is often different from the norms of society, Senter said.

Wednesday Walks are held the third Wednesday of each month from different ISU campus sites. Each walk encompasses a different topic and theme.

Past walks have included a two-part series on Christian Peterson artwork.

The last walk focused on art in relationship to athletics and included a tour of the Jacobson Building and the history behind Jack Trice.

“People learn visually because it sparks a most passionate reaction to the senses,” Senter said.

“Not everyone will come away from the walk with the same feelings about the artwork and buildings,” Senter said.

But I hope the participants will look at the controversy and history in a different way, she added.

Next month’s walk, Nov. 12, “Sketchbook of Andrew Leicester: Proof of His Perspective” will consist of a new twist behind the tour of Molecular Biology.

The focus will be designer Andrew Leicester, his intentions for the building and a look at his sketchbooks.

The tour will meet at the south entrance of Molecular Biology.

“An Iowa Tradition: Victorian Holidays,” Dec. 3, will meet at the Farm House Museum.

The Wednesday walks begin at noon and are held rain or shine.

There is no fee.