Ravinia 2024 Issue 5

ON THE HUNT Revisiting the late Richard Hunt ’s tour of Ravinia’s sculpture collection BY DEBRA PICKETT [ This feature originally appeared in Vol. 1 of Ravinia Magazine in 2007 and is reprinted here in lightly edited form in honor of Richard Hunt’s contributions to Ravinia as a Life Trustee and a sculptor, including six of his own works. ] “It’s problematic,” renowned sculptor Richard Hunt said diplo- matically, as he surveyed the lush, if slightly cluttered, lawn be- fore him, “But, of course, you have to have this many trash recep- tacles. …These are the challenges in the placement of the work.” Hunt, who inaugurated Ravinia’s modern sculpture col- lection by making a gift of his 1976 piece Music For A While , held a unique and deeply personal connection to the works of art that grace Ravinia’s grounds. But, far from wanting to separate them from concertgoers’ picnic blankets and lawn chairs, Hunt instead said he found joy in the very un-mu- seum-like way that people interact with the sculptures. RAVINIAMAGAZINE • AUGUST 19 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 12 RUSSELLJENKINS/RAVINIA(ALLPHOTOS)