''Continuum'' is a public artwork by
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
sculptor
Charles O. Perry
Charles Owen Perry (October 18, 1929, Helena, Montana, US – February 8, 2011, Norwalk, Connecticut, US) was an American sculptor particularly known for his large-scale public sculptures.
Life
He served in the U.S. Army, during the Korean ...
located in front of the
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, also called the Air and Space Museum, is a museum in Washington, D.C., in the United States.
Established in 1946 as the National Air Museum, it opened its main building on the Nat ...
in
Washington, DC,
United States.
Description
The sculpture is a large swirling abstract that consists of 8 bronze pieces painted black and placed on a pole. It moves freely.
Information
According to the artist the piece "began as an exploration of the
Möbius strip
In mathematics, a Möbius strip, Möbius band, or Möbius loop is a surface that can be formed by attaching the ends of a strip of paper together with a half-twist. As a mathematical object, it was discovered by Johann Benedict Listing and Augu ...
, a product of pure mathematics formed by joining two ends of a strip of paper after giving one end a 180-degree twist, thus creating only one edge. The center of the bronze sculpture symbolizes a
black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravitation, gravity is so strong that nothing, including light or other Electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic waves, has enough energy to escape it. The theory of general relativity predicts t ...
, while the edge shows the flow of matter through the center from positive to negative space and back again in a
continuum
Continuum may refer to:
* Continuum (measurement), theories or models that explain gradual transitions from one condition to another without abrupt changes
Mathematics
* Continuum (set theory), the real line or the corresponding cardinal number ...
."
A similar sculpture by Perry, ''Continuum II'', is installed in
Marina Square in
Singapore and dates to 1986.
Condition
In July 2010 the piece underwent restoration to remove a green
patina
Patina ( or ) is a thin layer that variously forms on the surface of copper, brass, bronze and similar metals and metal alloys (tarnish produced by oxidation or other chemical processes) or certain stones and wooden furniture (sheen produced b ...
that formed on the sculpture. Perry's vision was for the piece to remain black. The piece was removed from its location to the west end of the building where it underwent its conservation by a contractor. The granite base that holds the 7,000 pound sculpture was also repaired.
See also
*
''Ad Astra'' (Lippold sculpture)
*''
Delta Solar
''Delta Solar'' is a public artwork by Venezuelan sculptor Alejandro Otero located outside of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, United States. ''Delta Solar'' is meant to pay homage to modern technology and the Inca sun cult ...
''
*
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 accessible in an outdoor public space. For example, this does not include artwork visible inside a museum.
Most of the works mentioned ...
References
External links
''Continuum'' on dcMemorialsOutdoor Sculptures: Air and Space Museum
Mathematical artworks
1976 sculptures
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Sculptures in the Smithsonian Institution
Abstract sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Bronze sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Outdoor sculptures in Washington, D.C.
Southwest Federal Center
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