The art of Adler

The Adler Building may seem like a work of art for School of Journalism and Mass Communication students and faculty at The University of Iowa. However, state-of-the-art facilities are not all it has to offer. The Adler Building also boasts two pieces of media-themed artwork by prominent American artists.

In front of the main entrance, a sculpture by artist James Sanborn will stand. The sculpture is cylindrical in shape with letters stamped all around. The name of the sculpture is “Iacto.” The definition of the Latin word iacto is “to broadcast words.”

While the sun will shine on the sculpture by day, at night the letters will be illuminated from within. It will reflect on the rotunda of the Adler Building. On the cover is the architect’s digital rendition of the sculpture at night.

Sanborn, an artist from Washington, D.C., is best known for his sculpture “Kryptos” in front of the CIA headquarters. The sculpture is similar in style to the one slated to stand in front of the Adler Building. Cracking the code on “Kryptos” has been done on three of its four sections, according to the CIA website.

“They will be able to read what I wrote, but what I wrote is a mystery itself,” Sanborn said to the CIA.

In addition, the Adler Building is home to a mural by Colorado artist Lloyd Schermer. The mural will be a colorful collage, drawing on symbols of journalism and culture. Schermer created a similar mural for the University of Montana’s School of Journalism.

Schermer and his wife, Betty Adler-Schermer, made the $3 million donation to name the Adler Building after her father, Philip D. Adler. The Schermers are dedicated to journalism, art and philanthropy. Adler founded Lee Enterprises, a newspaper publishing company, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa.

— Ashley Switalski