Exhibition:
APRIL 13 - MAY 25, 2008

The stars will be out at Marymount College  – 49 galvanized steel stars to be exact.

On April 5, on a beautiful, grassy plot that measures 75’ X 75’, artist John Sanders installed his latest work ‘49’.  Known at Marymount for his previous installation, “Greyhounds” – constructed on the hills overlooking the Pacific – Sanders believes ‘49’ is better suited to the heart of the campus.

‘49’ can be viewed just outside the library, in front of Cecilia Hall and across from the pool. When asked why forty-nine stars rather than an even number, Sanders responds with appropriate artistic reasoning. To him there is a power in the number seven and forty-nine is divisible by seven.  When laying out the site, he points out that the exhibit will line up in a perfect grid, much like an agricultural field.

Sanders started his career over 30 years ago working with clay. Wood and metal became his medium of choice for his large pieces.  He takes great delight in the changeability of the steel as it reacts to the environment. “It’s quite a different thing to see a piece like this in bright sun – you can almost get a sunburn if you look at it too long. At night, there is a completely different feel.” In fact, ten days after the installation there will be a full moon by which to view ‘49’ and he will be up to see how his work is faring.

During the course of the month, Sanders intends to visit often to document people’s response, as well as nature’s, to his work.  However, if the future is written in the stars, it’s almost guaranteed that John Sander’s ‘49’ will be a great success.