The Engineering Quad is home to three iconic statues that celebrate innovation, creativity, and the spirit of engineering. These include:
- “Computing a Future,” popularly referred to as Grainger Bob, situated near the Grainger Engineering Library
- “The Quintessential Engineer,” also known as Quinn, located outside the Micro + Nanotechnology Laboratory on the north Engineering Quad
- “Mananaan,” which is located in the Bardeen Quad
Learn more about these works of art, the stories behind them, and the artists who brought them to life through the resources below.
Computing a Future
The statue of a bronze man sitting outside the Grainger Engineering Library and Information Center, commonly known as Grainger Bob, is officially entitled “Computing a Future.”
UIHistories Project – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center
- This page from the UIHistories Project gives information about the Grainger Engineering Library and Grainger Bob
“Computing a Future” was created by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. Additional information about Johnson and his work can be explored through several resources such as:
- The Carmel Public Art/Sculptures page
- This page highlights a collection of Seward Johnson’s statues displayed in the Arts and Design District of Carmel, Indiana, along with images of the artworks.
- “Sculptor J. Seward Johnson, Jr.: Life, Cast in Bronze”
- This articles from Copper in the Arts provides biographical information about the artist.
- Further details about his life and artwork can also be found on Seward Johnson Atelier’s personal website.
The Quintessential Engineer
“The Quintessential Engineer”, located outside the Micro + Nanotechnology Laboratory on the north Engineering Quad, is the product of a campaign started by Engineering alumna Sakshi Srivastava. The statue was created by Chicago sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany and was financed by Texas Instruments (TI) to hopefully inspire both current and future female engineering students at the University.
More information about the sculpture can be found through the resources below:
- “The Quintessential Engineer” statue represents diversity at Illinois
- This article from The Daily Illini describes the unveiling of the new engineering statue and the impact that it will have on women in the field of Engineering.
- UI grad student hopes new statue engineers change in attitudes
- This article from The News Gazette discusses the importance of female engineers along with the engineering program at the University of Illinois.
- Introducing the newest Illini engineer: BTN LiveBIG
- This short documentary from the Big Ten Network talks to the student who petitioned for a female engineering statue at the University of Illinois and the artist who helped in designing her.
“The Quintessential Engineer” was created by Julie Rotblatt-Amrany. Information about her life and other works can be found through the resources below:
- Artistic family does monumental work immortalizing sports figures
- This article describes one of many artistic works of the Armany family.
- Highwood unveils memorial to September 11 victims
- This is an article describing a statue by Julie Rotblatt-Amrany. It depicts a firefighter, cloaked in an American flag, pausing amid the rubble to reflect on the loss of life that day.
- Julie Rotblatt-Amrany
- This is Julie Rotblatt-Amrany’s website. It gives biographical information as well as information about her artwork.
Mananaan
“Mananaan” is a 26-foot-tall, 15-ton abstract metal sculpture located in the engineering quadrangle south of the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center.
“Mananaan” was created by metal sculptor Alexander Liberman, whose works can be seen in the Art Institute of Chicago; the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, all in New York City; the Smithsonian Institution collection in Washington, D.C.; and at the universities of California at Berkeley, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The sculpture consists of a cylinder, resembling a telescope, that rises into the air. Next to it is an oval ribbon of steel that resembles a gigantic eye, also looking upward. Both pieces are supported by two cylinders cut in such a way as to enhance the skyward vision of the artwork.
- Grainger College of Engineering: Bardeen Quadrangle (Self-Guided Tour)
- This self-guided tour includes “Mananaan” as part of a broader overview of the Quad’s landmarks and history.
- UIHistories: Bardeen Quad – Buildings
- This page dedicated to University of Illinois history mentions “Mananaan” in the context of the surrounding campus architecture and public art.
- Did You Know: ‘Mananaan’ sculpture featured on the Bardeen Quad
- This article from the Grainger College of Engineering goes over some of the symbolism within the statue, as well as some more information on its selection process.
“Mananaan” was created by Alexander Liberman. Additional information about Liberman and his work can be explored through several resources such as:
- Alexander Liberman Wikipedia
- Alexander Liberman’s Wikipedia page provides a comprehensive overview of his life, education, and major artistic achievements.
- Smithsonian American Art Museum: Alexander Liberman
- This entry from the Smithsonian American Art Museum includes details about his sculptures and other works featured in the Smithsonian’s collection.
- Mitchell-Innes & Nash Gallery: Alexander Liberman
- The gallery page highlights Liberman’s exhibitions, artistic style, and influence in modern sculpture.
- Public Art Archive: Alexander Liberman
- The artists page for Liberman documents his large-scale public sculptures and their locations across the United States.
