Actually, we gained a work of art called "We Lost." The title refers to United States participation in the Vietnam War.
The modern piece of sculpture sits peacefully on College Green at the corner of Locust Walk and 36th Street.
"We Lost" is distinguished by its grandeur and stark black steel structure. It is approximately 11 feet tall and 11 feet wide and the high, square arches of the symmetrical piece can be seen from many parts of College Green.
Yet in addition to its artistic value, students also enjoy sitting, talking and even lunching inside the sculpture.
"I like to sit there because I can see out on Locust Walk but I am also hidden," College sophomore Jane Meiman said. "It's like being in a fishbowl."
Created by New York sculptor Tony Smith, "We Lost" was acquired by the University in 1967, and dedicated in 1976.
Smith based the sculpture on the Vietnam War. In ancient times, the Romans built triumphal arches to commemorate their victories in war. "We Lost" is the opposite of the triumphal arches in that it represents the country's loss resulting from the Vietnam War.
"It is not aesthetically pleasing," Meiman said. "I don't think it fits itointo the beauty of College Green. I think that is how most Penn students feel about that particular sculpture."
"It definitely is bold in its statement about the war," she continued. "I like how the sculpture of the peace sign is located so near to it. It shows that nothing is one-sided in this world. You can't have peace without war, and it is interesting that they were placed so close to each other. It shows both sides of the coin."
Another student, who asked not to be named, agreed that "We Lost" was not a beautiful work of art.
"I can't see the sculpture as anything attractive to look at," he said. "I just choose to pass it by. But maybe that's the whole point of it. The Vietnam War was nothing attractive, and now many people overlook it -- just pass it by, so to speak."
"However, I think the sculptor was trying to draw people's attention to the tragedies of the war," he continued. "He revised the Roman's arches they constructed after their victories, and the sharp lines of it really stand out in the sculpture."
Art history professor John McCoubrey said he had a few complaints about the sculpture, but was generally pleased with the work.
The professor said he thinks the the title of the sculpture "is a bit negative." In addition, he was surprised when the massive black piece was installed at its present location.
"It's not the cite at which I thought it would be placed," McCoubrey said. "There were other suggestions but the sculptor chose the cite."
Smith youred the University and after inspecting various places, decided to install "We Lost" at the spot on College Green.
The total cost to acquire "We Lost" was $55,000. Like other campus art works, the sculpture was partially funded by the city of Philadelphia as a part of the agreement which exists.
Former President Martin Meyerson said in his book Gladly Teach and Gladly Learn that the administration sought to create a piece of art for each high rise erected in Superblock.
"For each high rise building, the University commissioned a sculptor," he wrote.