5 fish, 800 pounds each: The Showalter Fountain gets a nearly $50,000 makeover

It took eight men to haul the fish.

On Friday morning, IU Physical Plant workers installed all five fish sculptures back into the Showalter Fountain, and the fish should be spouting water by late this week.
The bronze monsters weigh nearly 800 pounds each and were removed this winter for cleaning and repairs.

It’s always been Sherry Rouse’s goal to have the fountain finished for graduating seniors to enjoy. The curator of campus art was worried that recent rain would delay the installation, but Friday was clear and sunny.

The slate around the fountain is also being replaced and re-grouted.

One fish, poached this summer, needed to be recast in bronze and replaced, and the rest of the fish received a makeover. Venus Bronze Works in Detroit refinished the patina finish on all of the sculptures.

“The bottom line is the fish took a hit this year,” Rouse said. She estimated that repairs on the fountain cost nearly $50,000.

As the crew of men in blue jeans and ball caps installed the fish, they added wires that may become part of an enhanced security system in an effort to prevent further vandalism.

Rouse said the wires could potentially be used to alert campus police about attempted thefts or people rocking the fish. During the Nearly Naked Mile this October, runners in the Homecoming week celebration swarmed the fountain and rocked one of the fish back and forth until it broke off its stand.

IU Police Department Chief Keith Cash would not comment on details of the new wiring.

“When it comes to matters of security measures, we do not discuss these as this would jeopardize the effectiveness of the measures we are taking,” Cash said in an email.
Security is a concern for the fountain, which has seen both the fish and Venus targeted.

Robert Laurent sculpted Venus and her dolphin-like guardians. Grace Showalter funded the project as a gift to her late husband. It was dedicated in October 1961.
Students didn’t wait until long after the dedication to start the fun that has marked Venus’ time on campus. Just a few days after the ceremony, the fish spurted green foam.

Students have swum nude with her, tossed coins at her and covered her in soap, Jell-O and dye. In 1972, Venus saw 15 carp swimming around her until Physical Plant workers caught them.

Venus has worn bras of all sizes and colors and had her nails painted. At Christmas one year, she wore a duct tape bikini with fur trim and a Christmas hat.

The attention isn’t all vandalism, though. As ordered by Rouse, she gets a wax once a year to keep her patina polished.

There is a longstanding rumor that Mrs. Showalter didn’t like the size of Venus’ bosom and requested a breast reduction for the classical figure.

IU Assistant Archivist Carrie Schwier, who oversaw an exhibit on the fountain last spring, said part of the fountain’s distinct look is its modern style.

It’s not anatomically correct, and the shape of Venus’ stomach and breasts looks unnatural. Schwier said Showalter was likely involved later in the construction of the fountain and dealt more with financial than creative matters.

The fish have been called dolphins and tuna. In 1987, after IU won the NCAA championship, all five were removed. When the last fish was finally discovered the next week, it sat in front of an apartment entrance dressed in an IU shirt with its lips painted red.

Rouse said she understands that the fountain’s central location makes it a target for students.

“I don’t really mind people interacting with the fountain,” Rouse said. “They’re going to get in the water. What I don’t like is the vandalism.”