Art Scene: Koi Pond Orb
The Koi Pond is relaxing. The trickle from this orb only elevates the ambiance.
Everyone on Northeastern’s Boston campus enjoys relaxing in one of the Adirondack chairs by the koi pond. But adding to the area’s ambience is the nearby orb that gently trickles water over its rounded surface.
The Koi Pond Orb is yet another Northeastern creation crafted by the capable hands of Robert Shure, the Woburn, Massachusetts-based sculptor behind the Shillman Cat and the Cy Young Memorial, also on the Boston campus.
Spanning 8 feet in diameter, the orb has stood by the corner of the Curry Student Center on campus since 1999 as part of the university’s sculpture garden. It’s near other works in the garden like David Playing the Harp.
When Northeastern created the sculpture garden on its Boston campus, Shure, whose work has also been shown around local galleries, once again stepped up, helping with the organization and placement of the sculptures.
“I helped Northeastern quite a bit,” he said. “They wanted something that as students or visitors came off the subway stop, that would be iconic and attract them to walk into the campus.”
Part of the idea for the design was to add a water feature like a fountain. Shure and fellow artist Kathleen Van Deusen made a model of the orb that was then cast in a composite resin-like material. Shure normally casts his works in bronze, but in this case, he made an exception. The orb was cast in a material akin to what they make boats out of to accommodate the constantly running water.
Shure said he worked with the university’s plumbing department to add in the distinctive running water.
“People are attracted to water,” he said. “That’s what made it what it is. If it was a big ball sitting there, I don’t think it would be half as effective. Something that’s like a water hose, people are attracted to that.”