Nuclear Energy (Henry Moore sculpture)

Infobox Sculpture


title = Nuclear Energy
artist = Henry Moore
year = 1967
type = Bronze
height = 427
inch = 168
city = city-state|Chicago|Illinois
museum = University of Chicago (outdoor)

"Nuclear Energy" is a bronze sculpture by Henry Moore that is located on the campus of the University of Chicago at the site of world's first nuclear reactor, Chicago Pile-1. It is on Ellis Avenue, between the Max Palevsky West dormitory and the Regenstein Library. This site is located in the Hyde Park community area of Chicago in city-state|Cook County|Illinois, United States. The location commemorates the exact location where the Manhattan Project team devised the first nuclear reactor to produce the first self-sustaining controlled nuclear reaction under the former stands of Stagg Field. It was erected for and dedicated at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the splitting of the atom on the grounds by Enrico Fermi in December 2, 1942. Thus, it was dedicated at precisely 3:36 p.m. on December 2, 1967.cite web|url=http://physics.uchicago.edu/moore_sculpture.html|title=Nuclear Energy|accessdate=2008-07-18|publisher=The University of Chicago Department of Physics] cite web|url=http://www.jstor.org/pss/1574334|title=The Role of Materials in My Geometric and Abstract Sculpture: A Memoir|accessdate=2008-07-17|date=Winter, 1982|author=Greene-Mercier, Marie Zoe|publisher=Jstor|work=Leonardo] cite web|url=http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=121J354443PW7.6174&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!296234~!75&ri=3&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=Moore,+Henry+Spencer,[phone],+sculptor.&index=&uindex=&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ri=3|title=Nuclear Energy, (sculpture).|accessdate=2008-07-18|publisher=Smithsonian Institution] The site of the first nuclear reaction received designation as a National Historic Landmark in February 18, 1965 and was added to the newly created National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on October 15, 1966 as one of the original designated historic places. [cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=204&ResourceType=Site|title=Site of the First Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction |accessdate=2008-07-17|publisher=National Parks Service] Chicago Pile-1 is one of four Chicago NRHPs on the original list.cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|accessdate=2008-07-18|work=National Register of Historic Places database download |publisher=National Park Service] The site was named a Chicago Landmark on October 27, 1971. [cite web|url=http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/LandmarksWeb/landmarkDetail.do;jsessionid=L1HTcBF85WsbdWR58fFGQFc44K2Tvqsn6LxTV7jQbxM1Ymnl84FG!941869876?lanID=1383|title=Site of the First Self-Sustaining Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction|accessdate=2008-07-17|publisher=City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Landmarks Division] The sculpture is described as convert|14.0|ft|m|lk=on in height and convert|8|ft|m in diameter by the Smithsonian Institution, and it sits atop a base that is convert|1.5|ft|m in height and convert|10|ft|m in diameter. However, the University of Chicago says it is only convert|12|ft|m in height. The sculpture was commissioned by the B. F. Ferguson monument fund. The sculpture reminds some of the human skull, while it reminds others of an atomic mushroom cloud.

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