Watch House was designed and situated on its site to slowly reveal different aspects of itself as the viewer moves toward the artwork. Artist Todd Slaughter intended the earthen mound and the house as a contemplative space for individuals and small groups, and as a counterpoint to the group activities of the Coffman Recreation Center – which is located on the opposite side of the wooded Indian Run Stream that runs between the two.

When approaching from Post Road, visitors first become aware of the 12' blacked-copper sphere that rises from behind the rim of the 220' diameter circle mound. Soon they see that the spherical dome is perforated with cutouts and sits atop a copper-skinned house that is bridging a gap in the mound. The artwork’s reference to a planetarium and a house bridging a prehistoric Indian mound is intended as a celebration of the history and as a symbol of the future of Dublin.

Walking up the ramp to the Watch House, there is a field within the circle mound of wild sunflowers and other native plants and grasses. Inside the house, the terra cotta-colored walls and stone floor define a space that offers seating, viewing and listening opportunities in all directions. The windows provide views of the wooded stream, sunflower field and bird feeders.

Sitting inside the house on a bright day, visitors see shaped spots of light traveling across the floor and up the walls into the dome. A family dining scene of cut-out patterns in the dome and dome-mounted bronze works represent home and family. A flying baby, an open book, and a curled-up dog are also part of this scene representing family, youth and play.

The near-circular pattern of holes through the floor referring to an Adena communal house is an important part of the overall plan of Hopewell/Adena historical references. Additional symbols include an early Hopewell Native American hand cut-out image, located beside the door of Watch House and representing both a “hand matcher” and a speaking tube built into the home of the Dublin doctor, Eli Pinney., The speaking tube was a link in the underground railroad during the mid-1800s. The hand also serves as a greeting to those entering the house.

For more information about Watch House, visit dublinarts.org and click on the Art in Public Places tab.