The Sentinel
Introduction
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The Sentinel is a sculpture in the heart of Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) campus. It stands seven stories high and weighs 110 tons. The sculpture was commissioned by RIT from Albert Paley, formerly of the institution's School for American Crafts, and was installed in 2003 as part of RIT's efforts to beautify its campus.
Images
Image of the Sentinel sculpture by Albert Paley. The sculpture is a signature element on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus. (Image courtesy of RIT Archives)
Close up of metal work in The Sentinel on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus. (Image courtesy of RIT Archives)
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Elements of the sculpture were fabricated in sculptor Albert Paley's studio and other off-campus locations before being placed in storage prior to installation. The various pieces were installed by crane and forklift operators, high-steel riggers and welders.1 The architectural light design firm Fisher Marantz Stone of New York City created a lighting design to illuminate the sculpture at night.2
Speaking about the project and his continued work with metals, Paley said, "Metal has its own language, symmetry, dynamism and movement. The Sentinel speaks of technology, it speaks of organization, it speaks of creation and expression. It fills a void in a society that is filled with commercialism, uniformity and mass production."3
Footnotes
Speaking about the project and his continued work with metals, Paley said, "Metal has its own language, symmetry, dynamism and movement. The Sentinel speaks of technology, it speaks of organization, it speaks of creation and expression. It fills a void in a society that is filled with commercialism, uniformity and mass production."3
Footnotes
- "Paley art installed this summer." RIT News & Events, May 16, 2003, Vol. 35 No. 17, 3. https://digitalarchive.rit.edu/xmlui/handle/1850/6458
- Colello, Jacqueline. The Building of the Sentinel. RIT Behind the Bricks. October 26, 2016. Accessed January 23, 2018. http://ritbehindthebricks.com/the-building-of-the-sentinel/
- "Paley art installed this summer." RIT News & Events, May 16, 2003, Vol. 35 No. 17, 3. https://digitalarchive.rit.edu/xmlui/handle/1850/6458
Sources
Colello, Jacqueline. The Building of the Sentinel. RIT Behind the Bricks. October 26, 2016. Accessed January 23, 2018. http://ritbehindthebricks.com/the-building-of-the-sentinel/.
"Paley art installed this summer." RIT News & Events, May 16, 2003, Vol. 35 No. 17, 3. https://digitalarchive.rit.edu/xmlui/handle/1850/6458
Public Art on Campus Collection. Accessed January 23, 2018. http://artoncampus.rit.edu/collection/9/.
The Sentinel. RITpedia. Accessed January 23, 2018. https://ritpedia.rit.edu/The_Sentinel.
"Paley art installed this summer." RIT News & Events, May 16, 2003, Vol. 35 No. 17, 3. https://digitalarchive.rit.edu/xmlui/handle/1850/6458
Public Art on Campus Collection. Accessed January 23, 2018. http://artoncampus.rit.edu/collection/9/.
The Sentinel. RITpedia. Accessed January 23, 2018. https://ritpedia.rit.edu/The_Sentinel.