[MSN] Mysterious thief returns sculpture

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THU., JUL 6, 2006 - 11:29 AM 
Lampert Smith: Mysterious thief returns sculpture 
SUSAN LAMPERT SMITH
Wisconsin State Journal 
Contact Susan Lampert Smith at ssmith at madison.com or 252-6121. 

Who says guilt isn't a productive emotion?

OK, it did take 30 years, but guilt brought a piece of purloined art back to
Memorial Union.

In the second week of June, a large package arrived at the union with a
postmark from Costa Mesa, Calif. Inside was a carved wooden sculpture and a
note:

"I am returning a piece of student art that was taken from the 2nd floor
gallery in the mid-70s as part of a prank. It was foolish, childish and
something I am deeply ashamed of.

 
It's easy!

Post your views or read others' opinions 
 
 
 
"I have no idea of the name of the artist or the piece.

"I apologize."

The note is signed "B. Badger."

Now, Bucky Badger might try to swipe Goldie the Golden Gopher's megaphone,
but in general, the four- fingered mascot has never been charged with taking
the five-fingered discount.

But Robin Schmoldt, the union's fine arts adviser, isn't all that interested
in tracking down the real thief.

"We'll let the person who sent it back remain anonymous," she said. "We're
trying to solve the mystery of who it belongs to."

So far, a records check hasn't shown that the piece belongs to the union's
permanent collection. More likely, it belongs to an artist who exhibited in
the union's Porter Butts or Class of 1925 gallery.

The piece is about 2 feet high and mounted on top of a piece of granite. The
carving is done in a primitive style, although the five figures on it are
wearing modern clothes. Schmoldt would like to hear from people who might
know the artist. Her e-mail address is schmoldt at wisc.edu, and her phone is
262-5969.

I wonder how many former college students have things they once risked
arrest to steal and now hang like albatrosses around their necks.

The stupidest thing I ever swiped were poinsettias from the lobby of the
hotel across the street from the Coliseum. It was a cold New Year's Eve, and
my boyfriend and I wound up drinking and partying at the hotel with Soviet
hockey players who had played the Badgers that night.

The next morning, I'm not sure who was closer to death: me from the Soviet
vodka and cigarettes, or the poinsettias, which drooped wanly after their
run through the frigid Wisconsin night.

Traffic cones, street signs (especially the always popular "Hooker Avenue")
and those chairs from the Union Terrace are probably the most common items.

Dick Pierce, the union's facility manager, said that every year, about 75 of
the iconic metal chairs disappear from the terrace. But many reappear after
their new owners awake in the cold sober light of morning.

"I think a lot of people wake up and regret what they've done," Pierce said.
Other times, "friends of the Union" will report spotting the chairs.

"At one time there was a fraternity that had a whole second 'terrace' set up
on their rooftop," he said.

I wonder what kinds of weird things would surface if UW-Madison offered a
general "theft amnesty" program? The objects, and the stories behind them,
would make an interesting art show all by themselves.

I even have a title for the exhibit: "When I Was Young and Dumb."

http://www.madison.com/