John von Neumann

This copper relief on the exterior wall of Deschutes Hall depicts mathematician John von Neumann as a detailed portrait. The hammered metal surface gives the work a three-dimensional quality that shifts in appearance as light changes.

Artist Wayne Chabre created this copper work in 1987 during a period when universities began honoring scientific figures through public art. This relief was part of a broader effort to celebrate mathematical and scientific contributions on campus.

The name John von Neumann reflects one of the 20th century's most influential minds in mathematics and computing. Walking past this portrait on the building exterior, you see a face that represents decades of groundbreaking theoretical work.

The relief sits on the exterior wall of Deschutes Hall and is easy to spot while walking around campus. You will notice the surface textures most clearly when sunlight hits it from an angle, typically in early morning or late afternoon.

The copper surface appears to change throughout the day as sunlight moves and shadows shift across the hammered metal. What you see at sunrise differs noticeably from what the work reveals at midday or sunset.

Inception: 1987

Creator: Wayne Chabre

GPS coordinates: 44.04566,-123.07103

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47