Stadium Piece, created by Bruce Nauman in the years 1998-99, is located on Western Washington University’s south campus lawn.

Bruce Nauman, who emerged as an artist in the 1960’s, created this sculpture in order to openly explore different categories all into one piece. Born in 1941, there were not a lot of things that had color. For example, the color television was not invented until mid-1960’s. Because he was born and was not used to colors other than black and white, he had a lot of ideas that did not involve much color, including this artwork which is concrete in gray.

The students refer to this artwork as “The Stairs to Nowhere.” Because it is in the shape of an “M,” it stands out from any other staircase that you have seen. Students can easily relax on the steps or even in the dip of the piece to have privacy. With open space underneath being lit up, it is a prime location to hide from the rainy Bellingham weather while still doing homework or studying outside. Because he designed for this sculpture to be on a university’s campus, it is great that it has been embedded into the lives of the students that attend this school.

Anyone can see that this piece has many purposes, even ones that Bruce Nauman did not intend.

Song: Young – Vallis Alps

Group Members:

Oscar Hurtado – Initial Reaction, Action Plan, Research, Video caption

Kathy Nguyen – Initial Reaction, Action Plan, Research, Video Caption

Sadie Sullivan – Initial Reaction, Research, Filming, Video Editing