Take notice of the changing forms as you explore sculptures at the Christian Petersen Art Museum
AMES, IOWA – August 17, 2021 ­– From complex geometry to striking forms, Charles Ginnever explored the intricacy of origami throughout his career. Iowa State University Museums announces the fall 2021 semester exhibition of Ginnever: Folded Forms opening Monday, August 23 at the Christian Petersen Art Museum, 1017 Morrill Hall, 603 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa.
About the Exhibition
Ginnever had an enduring interest in employing sculpture to challenge traditional encounters with environments. Perspectives shift as the work of art is taken in from multiple angles. Abstracted forms are placed with the purpose of creating an aesthetic experience while viewing.
 
“This exhibition grants the visitor an inside look at the creative process of the artist Charles Ginnever,” said Sydney Marshall, Curator at University Museums. “The sculptures and their form change completely with each angle you view them. They challenge the viewer to actively engage with their surroundings.”
 
This exhibition is in conjunction with Ginnever: Transforming Perspectives in the Anderson Sculpture Garden, 603 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa. Marshall encourages visitors to visit the garden on the way into the museum. Temporary large-scale public works of art by Ginnever have been placed directly into the landscape engaging the sculpture in conversation with its surrounding environment of flowers and campus architecture. Sculptures fool the eye and convey depth or dramatically shift in form depending on the angle of view.
 
The Christian Petersen Art Museum is open Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. except for University Holidays. The Anderson Sculpture Garden is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Admission to both is free. There is a suggested donation of $8.
 
Header Image & Below: Goddard’s Dream Mid-size Steel Maquette I, 1979-81. On loan from the Ginnever Trust. Bill Ganzel, Photographer.

Second Image: Origami Series No. 14, 2018-19. On loan from the Ginnever Trust. M. Lee Fatherree, Photographer.
Exhibition Programs
All events will take place in the Christian Petersen Art Museum unless otherwise noted. Registration is encouraged but not required at museums.iastate.edu. Events are free and open to the public.
 
Charles Ginnever Inside/Outside Party
Thursday, August 26, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Christian Petersen Art Museum and Anderson Sculpture Garden
Interact with Charles Ginnever’s sculptures from multiple perspectives. Enjoy the start of the Fall semester with refreshments and conversation; experience both exhibitions by the renowned sculptor.
 
Curator’s Exploration of Ginnever: Folded Forms
Monday, September 13, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Anne Pagel, Curator at Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum, Robert and Karen Duncan Collection, explores the life and work of renowned modern sculptor Charles Ginnever. On this gallery walk, Pagel will share highlights, discuss previous iterations of the show, and field questions.
 
Open House Weekend
Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Christian Petersen Art Museum and Farm House Museum
Enjoy three fall exhibitions during the fall open house weekend. At Christian Petersen Art Museum see Charles Ginnever: Folded Forms and reACT exhibition Color Matters, guest curated by Dr. Jonathan Sturm, Professor of Music. Farm House Museum, the exhibition Flicker and Flame: Whale Oil and Kerosene Lamps, will be open.
Sunday Tour with the University Museums: Charles Ginnever: Folded Forms
Sunday, October 3, 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a tour of the new exhibition Charles Ginnever: Folded Forms with University Museums’ curator, Sydney Marshall.
 
Folded Forms and Twisted Figures: An Evening of Dance and Art
Thursday, November 4, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Features performances of original compositions under the direction of Kinesiology faculty member Cynthia Adams. Dance students and Orchesis I dancers will present choreography inspired by their close investigations at the sculptures and drawings from the exhibition Charles Ginnever: Folded Forms.
 
Image: The Bird (for Charlie Parker) Mid-size Steel Maquette, 1965-81. Steel, epoxy primer, Urethane. On loan from the Karen and Robert Duncan Collection, Lincoln, NE. Bill Ganzel, photographer.
 
With sincere appreciation to the lenders, object donors and coordinators: Karen and Robert Duncan, Kathy and Marc LeBaron, the Duncan LeBaron Foundation, Anne Kohs, Jonathan Berger, the Charles Ginnever Trust, Jon and Molly Ott, and Gerald and Anne Kohs. Exhibition support provided by the Byron R. Anderson Sculpture Garden Fund, Marcia and Jim Borel, David R. and Carol A. Hawn, Carole Horowitz, Betty and Dennis Keeney, Arthur Klein, Christine Wehrman, and University Museums Membership.
About University Museums
University Museums is a distinctive organization that encompasses two art museums, a National Historic Landmark historic home museum, a sculpture garden, and one of the largest campus public art collections in the nation. University Museums brings world-class exhibitions with educational programming to Iowa State University actively acquires works of art to add to the more than 30,000 permanent collection objects, conserves and preserves collections, conducts and publishes curatorial scholarship, and fosters student engagement.
Media Information
To schedule interviews, photograph events, or request high-resolution images, please contact Alisha Abner at 515.294.3342 or aabner@iastate.edu. 
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