Harold in the News
The New Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex in Joplin MO Selects Harold Linke's Sculpture
Cornell Complex sculptures for opening
By Marta Churchwell | [email protected] November 9, 2022
They’re light and airy minimalist dance figures intentionally designed with beckoning gestures as if inviting people into the new Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, which opens Saturday. The set of three sculptures gives notice that art at the Cornell Complex isn’t limited to its interior space. These sculptures and two others -- one a memorial to those who lost their lives in Joplin’s 2011 tornado -- are placed around the outdoor space of the complex at Seventh Street and Joplin Avenue.
“It’s important that we have incorporated several works of sculpture on the outside of the Cornell Complex,” said Sharon Beshore, a major donor to the complex and president of Connect2Culture, which spearheaded development of it. “Architecture and art belong together.”
“Outdoor sculpture can create a feeling of accessibility,” Beshore said. “As a form of public art, sculptures can be enjoyed by many as they come and go during their daily lives, driving or walking past. We hope that the sculptures will be a welcoming symbol that can invite people into the complex.”
The three sculptural images of ballet dancers, recently installed by Lake Oswego, Oregon, sculptor Harold Linke, are at the complex’s front entrance on Seventh Street. Another, originally located at the former home of Spiva Center for the Arts, which has relocated to the Cornell Complex, has been installed near the complex’s west entrance on Wall Avenue. The sculpture designed as a tornado memorial has been placed on the east side of the Leggett & Platt Green at the rear of the complex. The latter two were created by Joplin sculptor Jorge Leyva.
The sculptures at the front of the complex were commissioned with funds specifically designated for them. The funding was donated by Beshore and her husband, Lance, along with Harry M. Cornell Jr., the lead donor in construction of the complex who died before the complex was completed. Also donating to the sculptures were the children and grandchildren of Frank Ford Jr. and Helen Ford, family friends of Cornell. Ford was an executive at Carthage’s Leggett & Platt Inc., of which Cornell was the former president and CEO.
Beshore was drawn to the design of the sculptures placed at the front of the complex because of their gracefulness and playfulness while spotlighting the performance arts, she said. “These sculptures are solid white, contemporary in appearance, and will be an excellent complement to the white facade of the building,” she said.
Linke was commissioned to create the pieces in his figurative style of hollow pieces that use dance movement or gestures as metaphors for communication. To emphasize their intent to project communication, Linke keeps his designs minimal, stripped of detail, texture and color. “I want gesture to be the important thing,” he said, noting that dance is the purest form of communication. “When you’re a human, your body is your main communication with the world.”
The theme of the three pieces, titled EnerJoy, is energy as it applies to performance, he said. One of the sculptural figures is designed in an en pointe ballet position. One arm of the figure is aimed skyward while the other flows outward, as if pointing to the Cornell Complex as a place to go for performances, Linke said. He said that another of the figures is in a ballet pose that represents a dancer’s spirit and energy in performances, and a third one is in a deep curtsy, projecting the energy the audience returns to performers.
“It’s what the performance is all about,” he said. “The joy and energy and your appreciation for these performers.”
The pieces weigh only 40 pounds each, belying their strength. They’re constructed of carbon fiber, the same material used in construction of airplanes, Linke said. “Carbon fiber is stronger than steel, and it’s lighter than steel,” he said, noting that the material can withstand all types of weather and considerable wind.
Working with such materials came naturally to Linke considering his background as a civil engineer. He turned to sculpting 30 years ago after deciding to pursue a new professional direction. Sculpting seemed like a natural progression from engineering, considering that both require knowledge of building materials and creating in 3D, he said. “It uses all of my skills in one form or another,” he said of sculpting.
Linke has more than 1,000 sculptures in private and public collections around the world, and he has garnered top awards in juried art shows in Texas, South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming. He is a member of the National Sculptors’ Guild.“My goal is to put important art in important places and that’s what this is,” he said of the Cornell Complex. “This is an incredible place. It’s a beacon.”
By Marta Churchwell | [email protected] November 9, 2022
They’re light and airy minimalist dance figures intentionally designed with beckoning gestures as if inviting people into the new Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, which opens Saturday. The set of three sculptures gives notice that art at the Cornell Complex isn’t limited to its interior space. These sculptures and two others -- one a memorial to those who lost their lives in Joplin’s 2011 tornado -- are placed around the outdoor space of the complex at Seventh Street and Joplin Avenue.
“It’s important that we have incorporated several works of sculpture on the outside of the Cornell Complex,” said Sharon Beshore, a major donor to the complex and president of Connect2Culture, which spearheaded development of it. “Architecture and art belong together.”
“Outdoor sculpture can create a feeling of accessibility,” Beshore said. “As a form of public art, sculptures can be enjoyed by many as they come and go during their daily lives, driving or walking past. We hope that the sculptures will be a welcoming symbol that can invite people into the complex.”
The three sculptural images of ballet dancers, recently installed by Lake Oswego, Oregon, sculptor Harold Linke, are at the complex’s front entrance on Seventh Street. Another, originally located at the former home of Spiva Center for the Arts, which has relocated to the Cornell Complex, has been installed near the complex’s west entrance on Wall Avenue. The sculpture designed as a tornado memorial has been placed on the east side of the Leggett & Platt Green at the rear of the complex. The latter two were created by Joplin sculptor Jorge Leyva.
The sculptures at the front of the complex were commissioned with funds specifically designated for them. The funding was donated by Beshore and her husband, Lance, along with Harry M. Cornell Jr., the lead donor in construction of the complex who died before the complex was completed. Also donating to the sculptures were the children and grandchildren of Frank Ford Jr. and Helen Ford, family friends of Cornell. Ford was an executive at Carthage’s Leggett & Platt Inc., of which Cornell was the former president and CEO.
Beshore was drawn to the design of the sculptures placed at the front of the complex because of their gracefulness and playfulness while spotlighting the performance arts, she said. “These sculptures are solid white, contemporary in appearance, and will be an excellent complement to the white facade of the building,” she said.
Linke was commissioned to create the pieces in his figurative style of hollow pieces that use dance movement or gestures as metaphors for communication. To emphasize their intent to project communication, Linke keeps his designs minimal, stripped of detail, texture and color. “I want gesture to be the important thing,” he said, noting that dance is the purest form of communication. “When you’re a human, your body is your main communication with the world.”
The theme of the three pieces, titled EnerJoy, is energy as it applies to performance, he said. One of the sculptural figures is designed in an en pointe ballet position. One arm of the figure is aimed skyward while the other flows outward, as if pointing to the Cornell Complex as a place to go for performances, Linke said. He said that another of the figures is in a ballet pose that represents a dancer’s spirit and energy in performances, and a third one is in a deep curtsy, projecting the energy the audience returns to performers.
“It’s what the performance is all about,” he said. “The joy and energy and your appreciation for these performers.”
The pieces weigh only 40 pounds each, belying their strength. They’re constructed of carbon fiber, the same material used in construction of airplanes, Linke said. “Carbon fiber is stronger than steel, and it’s lighter than steel,” he said, noting that the material can withstand all types of weather and considerable wind.
Working with such materials came naturally to Linke considering his background as a civil engineer. He turned to sculpting 30 years ago after deciding to pursue a new professional direction. Sculpting seemed like a natural progression from engineering, considering that both require knowledge of building materials and creating in 3D, he said. “It uses all of my skills in one form or another,” he said of sculpting.
Linke has more than 1,000 sculptures in private and public collections around the world, and he has garnered top awards in juried art shows in Texas, South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming. He is a member of the National Sculptors’ Guild.“My goal is to put important art in important places and that’s what this is,” he said of the Cornell Complex. “This is an incredible place. It’s a beacon.”
Mountain Spell Dedicated in Lone Tree & Honored by Best of 2020 Lone Tree
Just received notification that for 2020 Mountain Spell was recognized as the Best Public Art Display as Part of the Lone Tree Arts Center.
On October 28, 2019, it was my privilege to celebrate the dedication of Mountain Spell in Lone Tree CO. The Lone Tree Arts Commission, with a generous gift by Donors Harold and Ada Anderson, has purchased a heroic size Mountain Spell to reside in front of their beautiful new Performing Arts Center. The setting for her dance is stunning and the kind words about the community's response to my sculpture made my heart glow. Thank you.
On October 28, 2019, it was my privilege to celebrate the dedication of Mountain Spell in Lone Tree CO. The Lone Tree Arts Commission, with a generous gift by Donors Harold and Ada Anderson, has purchased a heroic size Mountain Spell to reside in front of their beautiful new Performing Arts Center. The setting for her dance is stunning and the kind words about the community's response to my sculpture made my heart glow. Thank you.
White Step Wins People's Choice Award at the University of South Dakota
I am thrilled that the sculpture walk at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion has honored my White Step with their People's Choice Award for 2019. She is in such good company since the quality of sculpture in this walk is outstanding....I truly am humbled by this honor.
Compass Pointe Makes a Permanent Move to Sheridan Wyoming
I was honored when the Sheridan Public Arts Committee purchased Compass Pointe in April 2019. She graces the city's Performing Arts Center. Compass Pointe joins 100 other sculptures that have been purchased and are located throughout the downtown area.
Davis White Trophy Presented in Detroit
I created and presented the inaugural Davis White Award for Global Excellence for Ice Dancing during the National Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Michigan in February 2019. The sculpture honors Meryl Davis and Charlie White, the first U.S. ice dance team to win an Olympic gold medals. They won the gold medal at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The original bronze sculpture, portrays the starting pose of their winning free dance. The award will reside at the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. The inaugural award was made in Detroit to Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, who were also the 2019 national champions in ice dancing.
Ener-Joy Installed in Silverthorne
Just finished installing a trio of my dancers--Ener-Joy--in front of the new Silverthorne Performing Arts Center. They are stunning in front of the black glass of the building. What a thrill to see them in such a perfect setting.
Peggy Fleming Trophy Completed
Evergreen sculptor Harold Linke was selected by Peggy Fleming Jenkins to create the new Peggy Fleming Trophy for the Broadmoor Skating Club. The award was created by the 1968 Olympic gold medalist to recognize a skater who, like Fleming-Jenkins, excels in artistic expression and presents a performance that is a complete composition.
The inaugural award of the trophy was made in Colorado Springs at the Broadmoor World Arena on Friday June 22, 2018, and was awarded to Timothy Dolensky of Atlanta.
Harold Linke is known for his simple, elegant, lyrical sculptures that capture the essence of the movement and the emotion of the moment. This trophy is in harmony with those themes and is meant to capture the evocative beauty inherent in truly artistic figure skating. Harold said, “Working with Peggy on this project has been such a joy. She has such artistry in her skating that made my sculpture a natural fit for this trophy. I am honored to have been selected to create it, see it presented by Peggy and to meet its first recipient.”
He has placed well over 1000 sculptures in permanent public and private collections throughout the United States and the world.
San Luis Valley Medical Center Purchases Running Girl
The San Lus Valley Regional Medical Center has purchased and installed Running Girl in front of the entrance to the medical center.
Seton her own plaza, surrounded by stone seating, she provides a welcoming sight to visitors and staff as she runs freely in the sunlight.
Running Girl Wins Award
Alamosa Interviews Harold
Awards
People's Choice Award - University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota 2019
Best of Show Award -Sculpture Walk Sioux Falls, South Dakota 2019
People's Choice Award - Greeley Arts Commission, Greeley Colorado 2017
Selected Distinguished Sculptor and Juror - Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood, Colorado - 2014
Juror’s Award - Evergreen Center for the Arts Evergreen Colorado – 2014
Best Sculpture - City Arts, Dallas, Texas - 2012
Juror’s Award - Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood Colorado - 2010
Best Sculpture - Keystone Art Festival, Keystone Colorado - 1999
Artist in Residence, Wilmot Elementary, Jefferson County, Colorado 2002