Art in Motion
10/28/2019
New mobile sculpture takes flight in Elizabeth Seton Library
There’s something new hanging out at the University of Mount Saint Vincent.
This past July, the College received an elegantly-designed mobile sculpture by noted New York-based artist Robert Pfitzenmeier, which has been installed under the skylight in the Elizabeth Seton Library.
The sculpture, Petals, consists of 20 triangular panels trailing off a network of 18 stainless steel rods. Ambient air currents give life to the mobile’s gentle movement and draw attention to the colors of the panels, which follow the spectrum—blue at the eastern end, with purple, red, orange, all the way to yellow at the west.
“It’s quite remarkable that the mobile is an excellent fit for the Elizabeth Seton Library,” says Mr. Pfitzenmeier. “Suspended in the air just below the skylight, Petals enhances the library—both energetically and spatially.”
To celebrate the mesmerizing new art installation, the College is hosting a reception welcoming back the artist, as well as members of the Mount Saint Vincent and the local art community on October 30.
The sculpture, which was gifted to the College from the E. Scott Kasprowicz family, was originally commissioned in 1998. The piece was inspired by Alexander Calder’s mobiles and George Rickey’s kinetic works. The mobile rises 12 feet high, extends 22 feet long, and is 15 feet wide, with 20 painted aluminum panels supported by the stainless steel rods.
An acclaimed sculptor, Robert Pfitzenmeier’s works have been in galleries, museums, and commissions across the nation for over forty years. He also spent more than 20 years working for Macy’s, producing the floats and other elements of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Mr. Pfitzenmeier is an active member of the Yonkers arts community—from numerous group shows to serving on the boards of Yonkers Arts and the Blue Door Art Center, he continually supports the growth of the arts throughout the area. Last year, he also launched a unique floating art installation on the Hudson River named “Bottlesphere—Tide Beacon.” The piece—inspired by the artist’s love for the ocean and his passion for the protection and preservation of the environment—was an eco-friendly, sustainable design incorporating reused plastic bottles, stainless steel, and LED light modules that remained on the river for a month.
The reception celebrating Petals is open to the public—all are invited to join the College on Wednesday, October 30, from 4-7 p.m. in the Elizabeth Seton Library at Mount Saint Vincent.
About the University of Mount Saint Vincent
Founded in 1847 by the Sisters of Charity, the University of Mount Saint Vincent offers nationally recognized liberal arts education and a select array of professional fields of study on a landmark campus overlooking the Hudson River. Committed to the education of the whole person, and enriched by the unparalleled cultural, educational, and career opportunities of New York City, the College equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for lives of professional accomplishment, service, and leadership in the 21st century.