''Ad Astra'' is a public artwork by
American artist
Richard Lippold. The
abstract
Abstract may refer to:
* ''Abstract'' (album), 1962 album by Joe Harriott
* Abstract of title a summary of the documents affecting title to parcel of land
* Abstract (law), a summary of a legal document
* Abstract (summary), in academic publishi ...
sculpture is located outside on the Jefferson Drive entrance of and in the collection of the
National Air and Space Museum in
Washington, D.C. The sculpture's title is
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...
, meaning
"To the Stars".
Description
This abstract statue is made of gold-colored polished
stainless steel. 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 ''Ad Astra'' 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
This is a list of public art in Ward 2 of Washington, D.C..
This list applies only to works of public art
Public art is art in any media whose form, function and meaning are created for the general public through a public process. It is ...
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'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'', 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 of the Smithsonian Institution
Steel sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Southwest Federal Center
{{Smithsonian-stub