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Sun God (statue)
Encyclopedia
Sun God is a statue by French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle
located on the campus of the University of California, San Diego
. The statue is a 14-foot multicolored bird-like creature, perched atop a 15-foot-tall horseshoe-shaped rock pedestal.
Erected in February 1983 as a part of the Stuart Collection
of public art projects, the fiberglass Sun God has become a unique feature on the UCSD campus. It is located on a grassy area between the Faculty Club and Mandeville Auditorium, on the eastern periphery of the John Muir College
campus. Since the 1980s the UCSD Associated Students organization has sponsored an annual event, the Sun God Festival
, with the statue as its official mascot. Over the years numerous visual-arts students have accessorized the statue with items such as sunglasses
, a cap and gown
, an ID card
, a large, water-spraying phallus, and even a nest with eggs painted in the statue's trademark bright colors.
In the initial days when the statue was available, no college volunteered to use it, Muir College accepted it on its campus.
Niki de Saint Phalle
Niki de Saint Phalle, born Catherine-Marie-Agnès-Brandon Fal de Saint Phalle was a French sculptor, painter, and film maker.-The early years:...
located on the campus of the University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
. The statue is a 14-foot multicolored bird-like creature, perched atop a 15-foot-tall horseshoe-shaped rock pedestal.
Erected in February 1983 as a part of the Stuart Collection
Stuart Collection
The Stuart Collection is a collection of public art on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. Founded in 1983, the Stuart Collection's goal is to spread commissioned sculpture throughout the campus, including both traditional sculptures and integration with features of the campus...
of public art projects, the fiberglass Sun God has become a unique feature on the UCSD campus. It is located on a grassy area between the Faculty Club and Mandeville Auditorium, on the eastern periphery of the John Muir College
John Muir College
John Muir College is one of the six undergraduate colleges at the University of California, San Diego . The college is named after John Muir, the environmentalist and founder of the Sierra Club. It has a humanitarian emphasis focused on the "spirit of self-sufficiency and individual choice"...
campus. Since the 1980s the UCSD Associated Students organization has sponsored an annual event, the Sun God Festival
Sun God (Festival)
The Sun God Festival is an annual campus festival at The University of California, San Diego that usually takes place on the Friday of the seventh week during spring quarter. Beginning in the early afternoon and running throughout the evening until midnight, the festival is produced by the...
, with the statue as its official mascot. Over the years numerous visual-arts students have accessorized the statue with items such as sunglasses
Sunglasses
Sunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that...
, a cap and gown
Academic dress
Academic dress or academical dress is a traditional form of clothing for academic settings, primarily tertiary education, worn mainly by those that have been admitted to a university degree or hold a status that entitles them to assume them...
, an ID card
Identity document
An identity document is any document which may be used to verify aspects of a person's personal identity. If issued in the form of a small, mostly standard-sized card, it is usually called an identity card...
, a large, water-spraying phallus, and even a nest with eggs painted in the statue's trademark bright colors.
In the initial days when the statue was available, no college volunteered to use it, Muir College accepted it on its campus.