Zebra Path Gets a New Look

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(Left) Before in 1981 (Right) After in 2007

By Daniel Lehrhaupt

In commemoration of this year’s homecoming and Stony Brook’s 50th anniversary, President Shirley Strum Kenny gave members of campus fraternities and sororities the green light to turn the Zebra Path located between the Melville Library and Old Chemistry building into red and white stripes, according to the Office of Student Activities.

“Earlier this semester, members of the Inter-Fraternity and Sorority Council (IFSC) proposed painting the Zebra Path red as a display of school spirit and as way to highlight the university's 50th Anniversary,” Dean Jerrold Stein said in an email interview.

“It was not the first time the idea was suggested to me since it was decided that red was the official color of the university just a few years ago,” he said. However, there are current plans confirmed by the Office of Student Activities saying the path will be repainted black and white after homecoming.

The Zebra Path was originally painted black and white by Stony Brook alum Kim Hardiman while she was a student in 1981.

“I spent my entire spring break painting it all by myself, although there were people feeding me sandwiches,” Hardiman said. She added it was also hard dealing with rain, trucks that ignored her orange cones and rope, as well as critical comments from students who weren’t in support of the Stony Brook beautification.

Hardiman said she was surprised to learn the Zebra Path was still in existence after 26 years; however, it also came as a surprise that her path was being repainted, too.

“I knew it was going to change some day, but they should have contacted me,” Hardiman said. Dean Stein said several attempts were made to contact Hardiman by email and phone, but he was unable to reach her.

“I can see why they changed it, but from an artist’s integrity that’s like saying, ‘let me repaint Da Vinci’s Last Supper, I don’t like the colors,’” Hardiman said. “From a real artist’s point of view you don’t alter art, even if it is public art.”

Stony Brook students have expressed their opinions against the repainting, as well. One student, Diana Azcona, prefered the black and white, while sophomore Annie Xu mentioned her problem with the curviness of the stripes - something Hardiman expressed concern over, too. “It would really stand out if the lines were clean and sharp like my original street painting design!” she said.

Students have also given their opinions in the Facebook group “The ‘Zebra’ Path - What The Hell Happened??"

"Mostly I created the group to see what people thought about this
rather drastic change, and took the 'black-and-white' side," said Chris Oliveri, creator of the group.

Although the color and shape of the lines continue to change, Hardiman hopes the experience will not.

“I wasn’t trying to represent a Zebra,” Hardiman said referring to the path's design. “It’s a performance art piece as you walk on it. Everyone will have one’s own experience.”

“To me, public art is like performance art. People should get involved in it. It's even better when they can touch it, walk on it, and experience it,” Hardiman said.

“I prefer to draw outside the canvas and frame. I want people to become part of my artwork, not separated.”