Students studying in the newly modernized Moffitt Library can also find fresh inspiration in original artwork adorning the walls. For example, Berkeley Squared— two 6-by-8 foot murals — was a grand undertaking involving more than 60 artists, including a handful of alumni and staff. Spearheaded by Bree Hylkema ’97 and Sean Orlando ’11 of Five Ton Crane, an Oakland-based artist collective, the murals replicate two photographs of iconic campus scenes — Sproul Plaza, with its otherworldly trees and overburdened sign kiosks, and an organic farm run by students.
The photos were enlarged and divided into 48 square panels. Then the panels were assigned to artists to recreate in the media of their choice. When you stand close to the murals, you see a mishmash of textiles, paint, puzzle pieces, guitar picks, rocks, and other objects. But when you step back, says Hylkema, “That’s when the magic happens.” While each panel represents a distinct and surprising part of the original photo, together, like UC Berkeley, they create a magnificent whole.
