is a public artwork by
American artist
Richard Lippold
Richard Lippold (May 3, 1915 – August 22, 2002) was an American sculptor, known for his geometric constructions using wire as a medium.
Life
Lippold was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He studied at the University of Chicago, and graduated fro ...
. The
abstract sculpture is located outside on the Jefferson Drive entrance of and in the collection of the
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) of the Smithsonian Institution is a museum in Washington, D.C., in the United States, dedicated to history of aviation, human flight and space exploration.
Established in 1946 as the National Air Museum, ...
in
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...
The sculpture's title is
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
, meaning
"To the Stars".
Description
This abstract statue is made of gold-colored polished
stainless steel
Stainless steel, also known as inox, corrosion-resistant steel (CRES), or rustless steel, is an iron-based alloy that contains chromium, making it resistant to rust and corrosion. Stainless steel's resistance to corrosion comes from its chromi ...
. Standing at 100 feet tall, the piece consists of a "...three-planed narrow shaft ending in a pointed tip, penetrates a triple star-like cluster near its apex".
[ "Lippard, Richard"](_blank)
''The Oxford dictionary of American art and artists'', Ann Lee Morgan
Information
Lippold believed that "the characteristic art of our time deals with the conquest of space", with symbolizing just that.
In 2009 the sculpture made an appearance in the film ''
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian''.
See also
*
''Continuum'' sculpture
* ''
Delta Solar''
*
List of public art in Washington, D.C., Ward 2
References
Further reading
* "Fabricating a soaring symbol of the space age ." ''
AIA Journal'' 65, (October 1976): Art Index Retrospective: 1929–1984 (
H. W. Wilson Company)
External links
''Ad Astra, an Abstract Sculpture by Richard Lippold''from What is Abstract Sculpture?
.
''Modern-day Medici wanted: Vatican looks for Donor for Richard Lippold Sculpture''from Collectos.com
from ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'', a brief mention of the sculpture as a notable work
1976 sculptures
Abstract sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Outdoor sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Sculptures in the Smithsonian Institution
Steel sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Southwest Federal Center
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