Public Art at CUT: The Story of "The Crossing"
"The Crossing" is a profound visual representation of the academic journey. It honours all the students who have passed through the doors of the Central University of Technology, navigated the challenges of higher education, and emerged with their qualifications.
The Artist's Vision
"I am using men and women to cross to the other side using their imagination. They are united by the goal of reaching their graduation day."
— Uwe Pfaff, Artist
The Symbolism of the Student Journey
The sculpture uses dynamic, grounded figures to mirror the real-life experiences of CUT students. The artwork is divided into three distinct phases of the academic journey:
1. The Beginning
Figures of individuals entering the grass represent new students arriving at the university, ready to begin their journey towards their degree with hope and ambition.
2. The Learning Process
Just as the educational journey is not always smooth, some figures are depicted diving into the grass, falling, or burrowing into the ground. This symbolises the challenges, hard work, and deep learning required to grow.
3. The Triumphant Exit
The figures exiting the grass on the other side represent graduates. They leave tertiary education and enter the world at large, launched forward with the knowledge, expertise, and skills that CUT has provided them.
Strategic Campus Placement
The figures have been strategically placed in key locations to serve as a constant reminder to students of what they have embarked upon and what they are working towards.
The i-GYM and Student Support Centre
Positioned alongside the Student Support Centre, the artwork serves as a daily motivational reminder to students of the entrepreneurial and academic journey they are actively navigating.
Boet Troskie Hall
This hall is the focal point of the sculpture's narrative, as it is the venue where graduation ceremonies are held. It represents the ultimate end goal: the culmination of years of dedicated learning and the triumphant exit into the professional world.
Background
The installation of "The Crossing" sculpture project was successfully completed on 5 December 2013, permanently embedding this powerful metaphor of student success into the landscape of the Bloemfontein Campus.
