''Totem'', is a public artwork by

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artist Rinaldo Paluzzi, located on the grounds of

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, which is in

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. The sculpture is made of

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 ...

and is a triangular shaped vertical "tube" with triangular and trapezoidal cut-outs in the steel. The piece sits centered atop a

concrete Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bound together with a fluid cement that cures to a solid over time. It is the second-most-used substance (after water), the most–widely used building material, and the most-manufactur ...

circle, 40 feet in diameter, with a sundial face. The piece was constructed in 1982 and dedicated November 9, 1982. It is copyrighted 1983. The sculpture was the first public art piece in Indianapolis fully funded by individuals, businesses and institutions.

Description

The sculpture also has a bronze plaque placed just south of it. The plaque reads: TOTEM/BY RINALDO PALUZZI (AMERICAN B. 1927)/FABRICATED BY MITCHUM-SHAEFER, INC./OF INDIANAPOLIS AND DONATED TO THE WHITE RIVER STATE PARK ON NOV. 9, 1982/INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS (33 names listed) INSTITUTIONAL CONTRIBUTORS (30 names listed).

Information

White River State Park owns the piece, which was fabricated by Mitchum-Shaefer, Inc. based out of Indianapolis. Over 60 individuals and institutions contributed the $95,000 to install the piece making it the first art piece in Indianapolis in which funds were

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for a public artwork. The piece cost $91,500 total to complete and install. Donors included

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, and

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. A series of limited edition

lithograph Lithography () is a planographic method of printing originally based on the miscibility, immiscibility of oil and water. The printing is from a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a smooth surface. It was invented in 1796 by ...

s of the sculpture were created by Paluzzi and sold for $250 each. The sculpture was dedicated on November 9, 1982 and was copyrighted in 1983. The Scecina High School marching band performed at the dedication ceremony. Then mayor

William H. Hudnut William Herbert Hudnut III (October 17, 1932 – December 18, 2016) was an American author and politician who served as the 45th mayor of Indianapolis from 1976 to 1992. A Republican, his four terms made him the city's longest-serving mayor. ...

spoke at the ceremony and presented Paluzzi with the keys to the city.

References

External links

{{Portal, Indiana, Visual arts
A sketch of ''Totem''
acquired by the

Indianapolis Museum of Art The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) is an encyclopedic art museum located at Newfields, a campus that also houses Lilly House, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, the Garden at Newfields and more. It is located at the corner of No ...

.
"On This Day in IUPUI History: November 9, 1982"
1982 sculptures Outdoor sculptures in Indianapolis Stainless steel sculptures in the United States Steel sculptures in Indiana Totem poles in the United States White River State Park

Description

Information

Further reading

References

External links