Soon, students and faculty walking into the new North Hall and Library at Bronx Community College will be greeted by some spectacular and familiar views.
The two large-scale paintings - one offering sweeping views of the Harlem River Valley, the other showing Bronx vistas from inside the campus’ Hall of Fame colonnade - are the work of local artist Daniel Hauben.
The 10-foot wide canvases are just two of the 22 pieces created by Hauben to be installed in the new building.
“To me the basis of all education is inspiration,” he said. “Hopefully when people see the artwork, they will be inspired.”
The new building, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects to complement the campus’ existing look, is to be dedicated this fall.
The three-story $102 million, 98,000-square foot edifice will house 15 classrooms and a cafe on the first floor; a two-story information commons ringed by a balcony, group-study rooms and lounge seating on the second floor; book stacks and faculty offices on the third floor.
Hauben, 55, of Kingsbridge, was awarded the commission in spring 2008. David Taylor, a dean at the community college, was a part of the selection committee.
“We all felt that Daniel’s work captured the essence of the community,” Taylor said. “He had a style that was warm and enlightening and it just screamed the Bronx.”
Ruth Bass, who heads the art and music department, got a recent sneak peek at the finished works.
“He’s a wonderful painter,” she said. “I was thrilled with the selections and I think everyone will love it.”
An award-winning artist, Hauben has exhibited in more than 30 solo shows. He also teaches art at City College and the Riverdale Y.
Hauben’s work can be found in public and private collections from the White House to the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan. The Bronx Community College project is his largest commission yet.
While the two large canvases will sit atop the main stairwell, the remaining 20 works will hang on the balcony overlooking the reading room on the second floor.
The oil paintings capture various scenes from all over the borough, from rooftops to Yankee Stadium to scenes of campus life.
These canvases - which measure 1 1/2 feet by 5-feet - are elaborate, colorful and full of detail.
“I didn’t want it to be one of these things that just meld into the background,” Hauben said, “so there are moments of pure color that pop out.”
In one piece titled “Mango Vendor,” a street vendor sets up shop along Westchester Ave., with the elevated subway track trailing off overhead. Long stalks of sugar cane rest against a chain link fence behind him.
Another piece dubbed “Meister Hall,” captures students reading, walking and chatting outside the campus building. In one corner, two young lovers embrace.
He’s even included a self portrait and two pieces featuring his white cat, Canvas, “for posterity.”
“We go through life not necessarily tuned into where we are,” Hauben said. “But if you stop to look the way I do, you find what’s interesting, what’s unique, what’s worthy of making art.”
For more information, visit danielhauben.com
tsamuels@nydailynews.com
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