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Chihuly Rock Candy Sculpture

Artist

Dale Chihuly

Artwork Owner
Summit County
Description:

This landmark sculpture for The University of Akron was created by artist Dale Chihuly, representing the convergence of science and art. Chihuly, best known for his revolutionary glass pieces and sculptures, used a new medium of transparent polyurethane which was developed and tested for weather-resistance and durability through the College... Read more

This landmark sculpture for The University of Akron was created by artist Dale Chihuly, representing the convergence of science and art. Chihuly, best known for his revolutionary glass pieces and sculptures, used a new medium of transparent polyurethane which was developed and tested for weather-resistance and durability through the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. The results complement the Goodyear Polymer Center's reflective glass surfaces. The sculpture consists of 80 individual "rocks" mounted to a center stainless steel armature. It is thirty feet tall and is secured to a 10-foot tall cylindrical base of reinforced concrete. The landscaping at the base is modeled after the spiral curves of the chambered nautilus, one of nature's more perfect designs. It contains a spiral walkway and retaining walls with occasional seats. Included within the attractive plantings are lights which illuminate the sculpture at several grazing angles on all sides.

Additional Notes

The sculpture was financed by private contributions. The polymer materials were donated by BayerMaterialScience AG and a grant from the Ohio Arts Council provided the creative landscaping and lighting.

Media
Categories
Sculpture
Address:

University of Akron, Department of Polymer Science
Akron, OH 44325
Summit County

Materials

Transparent polyurethane, stainless steel, and concrete

Dimensions

Height: 40'

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Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.