Post 6: Nebraska Pride

The tunnel walk. These words create a profound amount of emotions in many Nebraskans and other fans. This dramatic ritual entrance for the Nebraska Cornhuskers is an unforgettable experience. Whether it be watching it from your living room on TV or on the 50-yard line at Memorial Stadium, it somehow always mysteriously causes goose bumps to raise on people’s arms. It’s a powerful moment for the athletes and fans alike.

Watching this video I realized just how moving the tunnel walk really is. It’s not just a ritual, it’s a moment of motivation and a time to jumpstart everyone’s adrenaline into hyper mode to prepare them for the big game. I thought this video really highlighted the power of Nebraska football, also known as the “Power of Red”. It gave me a sense of pride in not only our beloved football team but also the state of Nebraska. When the tunnel walk occurs it’s like the whole state is brought together for that exhilarating moment. Everyone blends together in a vivid hue of Husker red.

In the video, when the phrase, “Day by day we get better and better, til we can’t be beat, won’t be beat!” is chanted by a huddle of players, I thought this moment was very uplifting and powerful. It really made me believe that one of these days the Huskers would come back on a winning streak and shut down our rival, the University of Southern California.

All of the graphics and music in the video added to the affect of power and pride. I also thought the camera angles and speed emphasized the affect of running down a tunnel and finally coming to an end when the video ends with an overall view of Memorial Stadium.

Not everyone may agree that the tunnel walk is as exhilarating as I do, but I thought this video succeeded in translating the mood created with the tunnel walk. It makes me anticipate the next chance I get to watch the Huskers play at Memorial Stadium and rush through the tunnel.

Post 5: To Tear a Notebook

Merging downtown Lincoln to the huge campus of UNL is a structure over 20 feet tall that rises above the horizon. Designed by the artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, this structure is known as the “Torn Notebook”.

It’s so named for its aluminum pages that appear torn down the middle, which are connected to a silver spiral that is bent and curved almost imitating a Nebraska tornado. The back cover of the notebook is painted black as a contrast. Random words including such things as corn, barbwire, goose, wind clouds, buffalo, grasses, and cranes all represent parts of Nebraska culture and heritage. At varying times of the day, the constantly changing shadows cast different shapes and words onto the ground making it even more interesting and appealing. Two aluminum pages are scattered in front of the main sculpture to accentuate the idea that the notebook is blowing in the strong Nebraska winds. Surrounding this man-made and unnatural sculpture is green grass, which makes the piece the focal point of the garden.

From a distance, it’s hard to tell what this monstrosity is. It almost appears as a bird going into flight, which also reflects the Nebraska theme of nature. A lot of the aspects of the “Torn Notebook” reflect nature even though the piece is completely made of aluminum and steel, which contradicts nature.

All around the art work is a hub-bub of activity; students bustling around from UNL, community members going to and from work, cars and buses driving by, or visitors just enjoying a nice walk or shopping experience downtown and in the Hay Market. The sculpture embodies all of the aspects of the Lincoln community; from the social aspect, to the culture, and the physical environment. It’s truly a work of beauty and something for everyone to have pride in.