Here stands TV Man or Five-Piece Cube with Strange Hole. It is a curious name for a sculpture. This artwork combines abstract shapes with a hint of human form. David Bakalar created it in 1993. He used granite and steel. The sculpture is located on the MIT campus.
Bakalar was born in Boston in 1924. He studied at Harvard and MIT. He earned a degree in physical metallurgy in 1951. Later, he and his brother founded Transitron Electronic Corporation. It became a leading transistor manufacturer.
Bakalar’s interests shifted to art. He became an avid collector. At 62, encouraged by George Segal, Bakalar began sculpting.
TV Man or Five-Piece Cube is made of mountain rose-colored granite. The sculpture has five abstract pieces. They reflect Constructivism and Surrealism. Bakalar uses negative space to create an anthropomorphic feel. The dimensions are 210 cm x 140 cm x 270 cm.
Look closely at the block that could be the figure’s head. A rectangular cavity looks like a television screen. This gives the sculpture its unusual name. Sunlight casts shadows that add shapes to the stone. The shadows enhance its polished and unpolished surfaces.
Bakalar donated the sculpture to MIT in 1993. He was a member of the Council for the Arts at MIT. His background in physics influenced his art. He often combined figurative and geometric forms. He created balanced compositions.
Other universities also display Bakalar’s sculptures. These include Boston University and Columbia University Law School. His art can also be found at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston.
The TV Man or Five-Piece Cube invites interpretation. What does the strange hole signify? Does the sculpture represent the influence of media? Perhaps it reflects the relationship between humans and technology. The artwork encourages us to ponder these questions. Take a moment to consider its meaning. It blends art, science, and human experience.