NEWSBEAT REPORTER

The LSU student union art gallery is presenting and exhibit called “Building an American Renaissance” from September 10th to October 25th.

The exhibit shows models of University’s original eighteen buildings as well as thirty display boards showing the buildings at earlier times.

The display is the result of a study that was conducted by associate professor of architecture Dr. Michael Desmond.

Desmond received a grant from the Getty Foundation in 2006 to study and research the quad.

He says the cracks in the buildings span almost 3 miles long.

The Getty Foundation wanted to use the exhibit as a way to teach students.

Desmond hopes to help students understand that the buildings on our campus are more than just bricks and concrete.

“There are all kinds of interesting historical references to renaissance buildings and there’s some very fundamental design ideas that are well expressed and so–you know what I’m most interested in is that as a teacher of architectural history is that students learn that buildings carry meaning,” said Desmond.

The exhibit marks the 150th year anniversary of LSU and it will travel the state on a tour.