The
unveiling of sculptor James Surls’ “Magnificent Seven” exhibition
(located on the lush grounds of Rice University through October 15)
certainly registered on our radar. The afternoon began with a Surls-led
tour of his seven modernist sculptures that previously
adorned New York City’s Park Avenue in Spring 2009. Afterwards, an
HOK-sponsored reception included a speech by Rice president David
Leebron, a soundscape commissioned from maestro Dagang Chen and remarks
from an illustrious Rice alum, Mayor Annise Parker.
The evening crescendoed with an intimate cocktail party at the home of
Sara Dodd-Spickelmier and Keith Spickelmier. Sculptural sophisticates:
Rice first lady Y. Ping Sun, Rice public art director Molly Hubbard and
husband Ford Hubbard with HOK, Minnette Boesel,
Surls’ gallerist Barbara Davis, Judy Nyquist, and Bruce Eames.