- Continuum (sculpture)
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Continuum Artist Charles O. Perry Year 1976 Type Bronze Dimensions 430 cm (168 in) Location National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C., United States 38°53′15.93″N 77°1′11.6″W / 38.8877583°N 77.019889°W Owner Smithsonian Institution Continuum is a public artwork by American sculptor Charles O. Perry located in front of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, United States.[1]
Contents
Description
The sculpture is a large swirling abstract that consists of 8 bronze pieces painted black and placed on a pole. It moves freely.[1]
Information
According to the artist the piece "began as an exploration of the Möbius strip, a product of pure mathematics formed by joining two ends of a strip of paper after giving one end a 180 degree twist, thus creating only one edge. The center of the bronze sculpture symbolizes a black hole, while the edge shows the flow of matter through the center from positive to negative space and back again in a continuum."[2]
A similar sculpture exists, by Perry, called "Continuum II" which is installed Marina Square in Singapore and dates to 1986.[3]
Condition
In July 2010 the piece underwent restoration to remove a green patina that formed on the sculpture. Perry's vision was for the piece to remain black. The piece was removed from its location to the west end of the building where it underwent its conservation by a contractor. The granite base that holds the 7,000 sculpture was also repaired.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b Smithsonian (1993). "Continuum, (sculpture).". Save Outdoor Sculpture. Smithsonian. http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=all&source=~!siartinventories&uri=full=3100001~!6509~!0#focus. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ Charles O. Perry. "Biography". Charles Perry. http://www.charlesperry.com/Bio.html. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ "Continuum II". Singapore Public Art. Singapore Public Art. http://www.publicart.sg/?q=Charles-O-Perry_Continuum-II. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ "Continuum Sculpture Undergoes Restoration". AROUND NASM. National Air and Space Museum. 2010. http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs063/1101752115970/archive/1103512483603.html. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
External links
- "Continuum" on dcMemorials
- The Mathematical Tourist on "Continuum"
- Möbius at Fermilab
- Outdoor Sculptures: Air and Space Museum
Categories:- Public art in Washington, D.C.
- 1976 works
- Artifacts in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution
- Monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C.
- Outdoor sculptures in Washington, D.C.
- United States museum stubs
- Public art stubs
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