Since 1985, Louise Nevelson’s painted steel sculpture, Night Wall 1, has stood 12 feet tall on a lawn edged by several Harvard University buildings, including the law school library ( Langdell Hall). Last week for the first time I found a way to post about this admired art and artist, though I had meant to many times for many years. At the start of the Jewish New Year, 5781, Louise Nevelson’s monumental sculpture kept a steady silent vigil in view of a steadily growing memorial for Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“A growing collection of flowers, posters, hand-written notes and low-burning candles have accumulated on the steps of the Harvard Law School library, a makeshift memorial assembled by Harvard students and admirers of the late alumnus and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Friday at the age of 87.” ( quote from WGBH local news Sept 20, 2020)
Exploring the sensed connections soon led me to learn a bit more than I knew before about these distinctly memorable leaders. Though humbled by how much more there is to learn about both of them, I will nevertheless persist in posting some quotes, links and photos I want to share.
“Louise Nevelson (September 23, 1899 – April 17, 1988) was an American sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic, wooden wall pieces and outdoor sculptures….. After completion of her first outdoor sculptures, Nevelson stated: “Remember, I was in my early seventies when I came into monumental outdoor sculpture … I had been through the enclosures of wood. I had been through the shadows. I had been through the enclosures and come out into the open.”” (quotes excerpted from Louise Nevelson, Wikipedia)
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg … born Joan Ruth Bader; March 15, 1933 – September 18, 2020) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death. She was nominated by President Bill Clinton and at the time was generally viewed as a moderate consensus-builder. She eventually became part of the liberal wing of the Court as the Court shifted to the right over time. Ginsburg was the first Jewish woman and the second woman to serve on the Court, after Sandra Day O’Connor. ” (quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Wikipedia)
Related Links from Harvard Art Museums:
Louise Nevelson’s prints, sculpture, and other art in their collections
Nevelson’s Night Wall I Returns, May 16, 2013
Related Link from Greg Cook’s WONDERLAND:
Ducklings At Boston Garden Wear Lace Collars To Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Art Outdoors 