In Our Hands A sculpture showing compassion and innovation
The news report on In Our Hands details the community impact of the sculpture.
In 2024, LSU searched for artists who could design a public work of art that could emulate the School of Veterinary Medicine’s values of integrity, compassion, and innovation. As they believe, “integrity, compassion, and innovation guide us knowing that we hold our noble work of teaching, healing, discovery and protecting in our hands. We strive to lift up our animal friends and all of humanity. We invite those who pass this way to send out and receive compassionate thoughts in support of all who seek what we offer.”
This inspired Vito Di Bari to create In Our Hands, a 16’ height by 18’ width by 10’ depth sculpture made of steel rods and coated powder. The hollow, reinforced structure, is made of two metallic outlines: purple hands and yellow dog, cat, and bird.
The sculpture was created to emphasize the values of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
In Our Hands shows the care that students of LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine bring to their field. The colors of purple and yellow evoke student pride as they are the official school colors LSU while the bird, dog, and cat represent some of the small animals that the school cares for and heals. Cradling these small animals are a healing pair of hands, which are the metaphorical representation of the school’s effort for improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. All of this creates a beautiful landmark for the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. As Vito Di Bari said:
“I create metaphorical artworks based upon the values of a location, emphasizing site-specific artworks to create memorable and unique identifications for residents and visitors. LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine deserves a landmark that honors its vision, enhances its sense of belonging, and furthers its culture of healing. My goal is to create a sense identity for the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine community, a symbol of the mission that staff and students will take pride in, and that will establish itself as an inspiring landmark for visitors, well visible to the Baton Rouge community.”
Detail of the figures of In Our Hands which show the outlines of a pair of hands and a dog, cat, and bird.