Three bronze sculptures by the late Robert Arneson -- the final pieces in his series of five "Egghead" sculptures on the University of California, Davis, campus -- are expected to be installed the week of May 21. The new sculptures were created by Arneson prior to his death in November 1992, and will join two others already placed permanently on the campus. Arneson taught in UC Davis' art department for nearly 30 years. He is widely credited with elevating ceramic sculpture as a serious art form and inspiring the funk art movement. The campus's Art in Public Places work group commissioned Arneson to create five sculptures as public art for installation in various campus locations. The first sculpture, known as "Bookhead," was installed in the fall of 1991 in front of Shields Library. A second set of two Eggheads was installed later in front of Main Theatre. The new sculptures will be placed in three locations: east of the law school, north of Mrak Hall and near Young Hall. The sculptures are based on the theme of the slang label for intellectuals -- egghead. Interviewed in 1991, Arneson said he chose the theme after riding his bicycle around the campus to "get a sense of the place, what the campus is about." His works depict eggheads in a number of situations, including working, playing, resting and conversing. The new sculptures and their settings are described in the following way: One is an Egghead that will lie on its back on a hill near Young Hall, looking toward the sky with a contemplative expression. Another is an Egghead that is upside-down, located just north of Mrak and facing towards Shields Library, with an incised eye looking toward the fifth floor of Mrak with a strong grimace that could be interpreted as laughter or pain. Finally, two Eggheads will be installed east of the law school, leaning backwards slightly, as if having a debate, but neither head has ears. The Arneson sculptures are "a major contribution to the cultural life of the campus. We are such a science-oriented campus that culture is very important," said Conrad Atkinson, chair of the art department. "If in our society, technology is considered the driving force, and science is the driver, then art provides the map." Price Amerson, director of the Nelson Gallery, describes Arneson's Egghead series in this way: "They are humorous, scatological and autobiographical. They hopefully make us laugh at ourselves and even reflect on ourselves and our roles and pursuits in the academic context of place....Collectively, the Eggheads are singular in Arneson's work in that each head is part of a conceptual whole that is woven into the physical life and environment of the campus." The sculptures are gifts to the university, made possible through private donations and Arneson's generosity. In the early 1990s, former Chancellor Theodore L. Hullar allocated these private monies to the Art in Public Places work group to commission the Arneson pieces. Public art, such as the Arneson sculptures, is "important for the cultural enrichment of the campus, forcing us to think about our circumstances in a way that challenges us visually," said Richard Meisinger, associate vice chancellor for planning and budget. "I hope that in the future the campus can commission past and present faculty members and in some cases, students, to produce art works," Meisinger said. A public dedication of all of the Arneson sculptures installed on campus is being planned for Fall 1994.