Mega-Gem

Last updated
Mega-Gem
MegaGemFront(South).JPG
Artist John Francis Torreano
Year1989 (1989)
Type Aluminum
Dimensions220 cm× 340 cm× 220 cm(86 in× 132 in× 86 in)
Location Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Coordinates 39°46′22″N86°10′27″W / 39.7729°N 86.1742°W / 39.7729; -86.1742
Owner Indianapolis Museum of Art

Mega-Gem is an outdoor sculpture by American artist John Francis Torreano (born 1941). It is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus, which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, and is owned by the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The oversized sculpture, made of aluminum, is shaped like a round-cut diamond resting on one its facets and studded with 36 smaller, colored-metal rosettes.

Contents

Description

Mega-Gem is an oversized, metallic, diamond-shaped sculpture that is tilted at an angle and composed with eighteen facets (or plates). Randomly scattered on each plate are from one to three metal rosette gems of varying colors. There are a total of 36 rosettes (six blue, six green, two red-orange, six red, eight gold, five silver and three black), all of which are made of anodized or painted cast aluminum. The main body of Mega-Gem is gray Heliarch welded aluminum plate. [1] The sculpture measures 7'2" × 11' × 7'2" [1] and sits on a concrete base that measures 2" × 11'. It weighs approximately 2,000 lb (910 kg). [1]

Historical information

Mega-Gem was fabricated in 1989 with the resources of Cincinnati art dealer Carl Solway. [2] It was presented at the Chicago International Art Exposition, where it was located on the Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. The presentation of Mega-Gem was promoted through posters and buttons proclaiming the sculpture to be the largest diamond in the world, weighing over 360 million carats. Mega-Gem was considered by Torreano to be one of a series of "oxy-gem" sculptures, playing on the oxymoron of combining precious gems with materials of lesser value, such as a "plywood gem," "gold gem," and Mega-Gem as "aluminum gem." [3] Mega-Gem is one of Torreano's oversized and exaggerated jewel sculptures. [4]

Location history

In 1989 Mega-Gem was presented at the Chicago International Art Exposition where it was displayed on Navy Pier along Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois, until 1994.

In October 1994 Mega-Gem was loaned to the Indianapolis Museum of Art for two years. It arrived on October 10, 1994, and was put on display in the southwest corner of Krannert Plaza, which is a section of the IMA's grounds and gardens located on the west side of the property overlooking the White River. In 1997, after the loan period had expired, the Contemporary Art Society raised funds for Mega-Gem to be acquired by the IMA. It remained on view in Krannert Plaza until 2001, when it was relocated to the southeast corner of the IMA property near the intersection of 38th Street and Michigan Road. [5]

In late January 2009 Mega-Gem was relocated to the IUPUI campus to make way for the creation of the IMA's Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, which opened in June 2010. [6] Mega-Gem was one of four IMA sculptures that were loaned to IUPUI. The others were East Gate/West Gate by Sasson Soffer, Portrait of History by Shan Zou Zhou, and Spaces with Iron by Will Horwitt. [7] These four IMA pieces on the IUPUI campus are part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which "connects neighborhoods, entertainment facilities and the city's five cultural districts" and includes Indiana Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Fountain Square, Indianapolis, the Wholesale District, Indianapolis, and White River State Park. [8] The Cultural Trail, completed in 2013 as a bike and pedestrian path, will connect Broad Ripple Village, Indianapolis to downtown Indianapolis via the Monon Trail. [9]

Mega-Gem is situated in the courtyard north of New York Street on the IUPUI campus, east of Lecture Hall and south of Joseph T. Taylor Hall (formerly University College), at 815 W. Michigan Street. [10]

Acquisition

Mega-Gem was loaned to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) by the Carl Solway Gallery from 1994 to 1996. In 1997 the IMA Contemporary Art Society (CAS) [11] undertook the effort to purchase the sculpture and acquire it for the IMA. CAS President Dee Garrett led the fund drive for Mega-Gem and worked with the IMA to sell miniature gem sculptures created by Torreano in order to raise money. The CAS donated Mega-Gem to the IMA at a gala in 1997 with John Torreano in attendance. [12]

Mega-Gem was acquired by the IMA in 1997 with the accession number of 1997.6. It is credited as the Gift of Robert Shiffler, Contemporary Art Society Fund and Henry F. and Katherine D. DeBoest Memorial Fund. [1] The value of Mega-Gem is unknown; however, prices for Torreano's work have ranged from $4,000 for smaller paintings to $30,000 for larger pieces. [13] [ volume & issue needed ]

Condition

The fading paint on the rosettes has been a cause for concern in the past. In 1996, in preparation for Mega-Gem's acquisition into the Indianapolis Museum of Art collection, the rosettes were returned to the artist for repainting. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herron School of Art and Design</span> Art school of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Herron School of Art and Design, officially IU Herron School of Art and Design, is a public art school at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is a professional art school and has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design since 1952.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indianapolis Museum of Art</span> Art museum in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) is an encyclopedic art museum located at Newfields, a 152-acre (62 ha) campus that also houses Lilly House, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, the Gardens at Newfields, the Beer Garden, and more. It is located at the corner of North Michigan Road and West 38th Street, about three miles north of downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery. There are exhibitions, classes, tours, and events, many of which change seasonally. The entire campus and organization was previously referred to as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but in 2017 the campus and organization were renamed "Newfields" to better reflect the breadth of offerings and venues. The "Indianapolis Museum of Art" now specifically refers to the main art museum building that acts as the cornerstone of the campus, as well as the legal name of the organization doing business as Newfields.

<i>Anatomy Vessels</i> (Saplings)

Anatomy Vessels (Saplings), 2003–05, is a public sculpture created by Indiana-based artist Eric Nordgulen (American born 1959), Associate Professor of Sculpture at Herron School of Art and Design. The sculpture is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus at the Herron School of Art and Design, 735 W. New York Street in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States. It was selected in 2005 for the Herron Gallery first Sculpture Biennial Invitational to be exhibited in the Herron Sculpture Gardens. The two-part cast and fabricated bronze sculpture represents two life size sapling trees with bound root balls.

<i>Torso Fragment</i>

Torso Fragment, a public sculpture by the American artist Casey Eskridge, is located on the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus, near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The piece was donated to IUPUI and is located outside of the west entrance to Eskenazi Hall on the IUPUI campus. Eskenazi Hall houses Indiana University’s Herron School of Art and Design and is located at 735 W. New York Street in Indianapolis. The sculpture was created in 2005.

<i>Spaces with Iron</i> Artwork by Will Horwitt

Spaces with Iron is a public sculpture by American artist Will Horwitt. It was installed in January 2009 on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus, near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture is located at the corner of Blackford and Vermont Streets, on the southeast lawn of the Science Building, and is on long-term loan from the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

<i>Weather Tower</i>

Weather Tower, a public sculpture by American artist Jerald Jacquard, is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture is located off White River Parkway East Drive in a plaza near IUPUI campus housing. Jacquard created this 20.5-foot-tall (6.2 m) painted steel sculpture in 1985. It was acquired by the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 1999, where it stood at the front entrance until de-accessioned and moved to IUPUI's campus in 2005.

<i>Broken Walrus I</i>

Broken Walrus I, a public sculpture by American sculptor Gary Freeman, was installed on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1975. Located north of the IUPUI Lecture Hall, the sculpture was removed around 2004 after it rusted. The work was fabricated in mild steel, painted an orange-red matte finish, and measured 36-inch (91 cm) tall by 8-foot (2.4 m) long by 24-inch (61 cm) wide.

<i>Zephyr</i> (sculpture) Stainless steel artwork in Indianapolis

Zephyr is a public sculpture created by artist Steve Wooldridge in 1998. It is located southeast of the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) University Library and north of New York Street on IUPUI's campus. The overall dimensions of this stainless steel sculpture are 13 feet (4.0 m) tall, 2 feet (0.61 m) long, and 10 feet (3.0 m) wide.

<i>Eve</i> (Davidson)

Eve is an outdoor sculpture of the biblical Eve created by Robert William Davidson in 1931. It is currently located in a fountain at Ball Nurses' Sunken Garden and Convalescent Park on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The overall dimensions of this bronze sculpture are 5’ tall, 2’ long, and 1’ wide.

<i>Mothers Helper</i> (Chalfant)

Mother's Helper is a public sculpture by American artist Derek Chalfant located on the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The piece is located in a small alcove near the ramp to the west entrance of the Joseph T. Taylor Hall at 815 W. Michigan Street.

Portrait of History, a public sculpture by Chinese American artists Zhou Brothers, is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture is located at the Blackford Street entrance to the Herron School of Art and Design. This piece is one of four public artworks on loan from the Indianapolis Museum of Art to IUPUI. The artworks were moved to the campus on March 22, 2009. Portrait of History is a bronze sculpture measuring 100 x 24 x 30 in and is mounted on an oval cement base.

Gary Freeman (1937–2014), is an American sculptor from Indianapolis, Indiana. He is Professor Emeritus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and served as head of the Herron School of Art Sculpture Department for 33 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 2001.

<i>Wood Fountain at IUPUI</i>

The Wood Fountain is an outdoor public architectural sitework on Indiana University-Purdue University's campus. The campus is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Wood Fountain is commissioned by IUPUI and completed in 1995. Singh Associates in New York City designed the sculpture, while Tom Fansler III manages the fountain. The purpose of this artwork, according to the Smock Fansler website, was to provide "better places to live," and bring "spaces between buildings and the elements that tie them together..."

<i>East Gate/West Gate</i>

East Gate/West Gate, a public sculpture by Sasson Soffer, is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. This sculpture is on loan from the Indianapolis Museum of Art and was installed on campus on March 22, 2009. It was transported from the Indianapolis Museum of Art to its current location, in front of University Library, from the Indianapolis Museum of Art via helicopter. East Gate/West Gate was constructed in 1973 and consists of stainless steel pipe. Its dimensions are 24'x 40'x 30' and weighs 840 lbs.

<i>Peirce Geodetic Monument</i>

The Peirce Geodetic Monument is a marker honoring the late American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce. It is located on Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, and was installed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. National Geodetic Survey.

<i>Temple VI</i>

Temple VI, a public sculpture by American artist Austin Collins, is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The piece is on an indefinite loan from the artist to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and is located outside of the east entrance to Lecture Hall, a building on IUPUI's campus. Lecture Hall, nicknamed LE on campus maps, is located at 325 University Boulevard in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States. The sculpture was created in 1996.

<i>Indiana Limestone</i> (Doddoli)

Indiana Limestone, a public sculpture by Italian-American artist Adolfo Doddoli, is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture is located on the east corner of the north side of the lecture hall under the overhang. The lecture hall is located at 325 University Boulevard in Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture was commissioned for the Indianapolis University-Purdue University Indianapolis's (IUPUI) campus in the mid-1970s. It was installed by the artist.

John Torreano is an American artist from Michigan. He is currently clinical professor of studio art at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. Torreano is known for utilizing faceted gems in a variety of mediums in order to create "movement oriented perception" in his works. Artist Richard Artschwager described Torreano's works as "paintings that stand still and make you move."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis Public Art Collection</span>


The IUPUI Public Art Collection, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, consists of more than 30 works of sculpture located outdoors on the campus of Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. IUPUI is a public shared campus of Indiana University and Purdue University that was created in 1969. More than 30,000 students attend IUPUI today and view the sculptures as they walk, bicycle and drive around the campus.

<i>The South Tower</i> (sculpture) Outdoor sculpture by Don Gummer

The South Tower is a stainless steel outdoor sculpture depicting the South Tower of the World Trade Center the moment before it collapsed during the attacks on September 11, 2001. Created as a tribute to the victims of the attack and designed by American artist Don Gummer, it is located on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus, near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, and owned by the artist. The sculpture is made of frosted stainless steel aluminum.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Indianapolis Museum of Art. "Mega-Gem". Explore Art: IMA Collections. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  2. ↑ Carl Solway Gallery.
  3. ↑ "Wikipedia Saves Public Art: A Survey of IUPUI Public Art". 2009: 21.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ↑ Greiff, Glory-June (2005). Remembrance, Faith & Fancy: Outdoor Public Sculpture in Indiana. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press. p. 183. ISBN   0-87195-180-0.
  5. ↑ "Indianapolis Museum of Art: 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana". Google Maps. 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  6. ↑ Indianapolis Museum of Art. "100 acres (0.40 km2): The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park". Art and Nature Park. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  7. ↑ Indianapolis Museum of Art (2009). ""Indianapolis Museum of Art Loans Four Outdoor Sculptures to IUPUI."" (PDF). IMA Press Release. Retrieved November 23, 2009.[ dead link ]
  8. ↑ "Art is in the Air" (PDF). IUPUI Magazine. Summer 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick" . Retrieved November 3, 2009.[ dead link ]
  10. ↑ IUPUI. "Joseph T. Taylor Hall". About IUPUI. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  11. ↑ IMA Contemporary Art Society (CAS)
  12. ↑ "A Brief History of the IMA Contemporary Art Society". IMA Contemporary Art Society. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  13. ↑ Brooks Adams (1991). ""John Torreano: Scarred Diamonds."". Art News.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.