Art and engineering come to life

New art piece dedicated in Beamish-Munro Hall

Art and engineering come together

Homecoming this year marks the inauguration of the new artwork piece in the front foyer of BeamishMunro Hall. It’s a 38-foot-tall sculpture of steel, wood, acrylic, and paint meant to dramatically impact the entryway to Beamish-Munro Hall and to symbolise the intersection of art and engineering. Toronto artist Kwest completed and installed it in the first week of September.

“It’s creating something that could last at Queen’s for generations,” says Kwest. “I see it as an awesome opportunity. The space is amazing. This city is amazing. It’s been a really cool process.”

And it was a process spanning six months. Earlier this spring Kwest and a group of Queen’s Engineering students gathered for two days to workshop ideas. Together they visited the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and the Queen’s

University Archives to gather inspiration.

They talked a lot about engineering at Queen’s, the creative aspects of engineering design, and the legacy the new piece represents. “In most public art calls, you submit your ideas and all the work falls to you,” says Kwest. “In this case, the collaboration with students was unique. It’s one thing that really appealed to “ ” I love biking by on my way home after class. It’s so wonderful with the lights.

A STREET-LEVEL IMPRESSION: The new art piece in the foyer of Beamish-Munro Hall adds impact to the entryway with its lights, and creates a dramatic effect at night.

AN INTERSECTION OF ART AND ENGINEERING: Toronto artist Kwest crafted “synapse” from steel, wood, acrylic, and paint. “I hope students will see a reflection of themselves looking at the work,” he says.

me about this installation: being able to create a piece with the students who actually go here and know what this place is about. It’s about getting a better understanding about what’s actually happening here.”

Queen’s Engineering student Max Lindley-Peart is one of those who worked with Kwest in the spring.

“It was really interesting doing a bit of background research behind the piece, trying to understand what we wanted to represent,” he says. “What does it mean to be part of Queen’s Engineering? What is the history of Queen’s? How is that going to play into the piece? I really enjoyed that process.”

The piece, eventually named “synapse,” was dedicated on October 13 by Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Dean Kimberly Woodhouse in honour of William C. Leggett, Queen’s 17th principal and vice-chancellor.

“My personal favourite time to see the art is at nighttime,” says LindleyPeart. “I love biking by on my way home after class. It’s so wonderful with the lights. It’s a really nice introduction to the space and I can’t wait to see the plaque that explains what’s going on in it.”

HONOURING THE PAST: “synapse” is dedicated to Queen’s 17th principal and vice-chancellor, William C. Leggett.

Dr. William C. Leggett served as Queen’s 17th Principal from 1994 to 2004. He is also a professor of Biology, with research focusing on the dynamics of fish populations. He was only the second scientist to hold the principalship, and his term as principal was notable for his strong leadership and his insistence on measuring Queen’s against the highest national and international standards.