This has to be one of the most beautiful modern art statues around. I understand Eos is the Goddess…read moreof Dawn. The sculpture is somewhat reddish like the slow sun rise can be. She looks towards the sky or sun, slightly spread arms stretched back... Like we would do to totally expose our front to the sun... The bottom of the statue is often covered in vegetation, giving the illusion of a long flowing gown as the long sleeves also suggest. Clearly she is enjoying herself, basking in the sun. I don't know much about art and others have already mentioned all the stats about this piece of art, but to me, this statue evokes joy... Simple joy of enjoying a good dawn.

It was hard to miss this beautiful sculpture in Columbus and I had to pull into the adjacent…read moreparking lot to check it out. Titled "EOS", it is by artist Dessa Kirk (1974). It was installed in 2006. Originally part of the 2006 Sculpture Invitational, it so popular that the citizens of Columbus raised the money to purchase it and ensure it stays. The artist's statement: "Columbus, Indiana has all these amazing buildings by amazing architects that were commissioned by Cummins. The one great sculpture, the Henry Moore, I want to be in the same city as Henry Moore, why not, it's a beautiful thing. Beautiful city in a beautiful setting. You want to see great architecture, go there. There's New York City, but Columbus is where you want to go. And there's great sculpture, my all-time favorite sculptor, Tinguely. I want to be a part of that, I want to be there hanging out with those guys." [Review 20535 overall - 79 in Indiana - 1516 of 2023.]

The State of Indiana has a long history with glass and many Hoosiers love looking at objects made…read morefrom glass. (There are several glass "trails" for visitors to travel along in the state.) Although Dale Chihuly isn't from Indiana, his work occupies a number of locations around the area. One of Columbus, Indiana's points of pride is the "Sun Garden" located within the Columbus Learning Center on the north end of town. Located in a room specifically designed for showcasing a Chihuly piece, the 32 panel circular installation acts as a colorful skylight. Back in 2007, Chihuly created this plexiglass work that has each panel dedicated to the series of works he had created by that time. Each of the panels is also hand signed by the artist. I won't say any single panel is beautiful, but when gathered into this circle, the backlit colors work well together and is a "must see" for Chihuly fans when in town. Review #2735

On the northwest corner of the IUPUC campus, an art installation called "Transformations" sits…read morewithin an outer wall creating a plaza for thought and reflection. The outer wall contains a quote from former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli that reads "A University must be a place of light, of liberty, and of learning." In the center of the installation, a towering stainless steel art piece (nearly 30') rises from a shrub filled base on a central column. Three smaller tubes rise from the side of the column, extending even higher. Within each of these tubes is a dichroic glass which extends into the sky and changes color between blue and green depending upon how the light hits it. From the wall (directly over the quote), another steel arm extends towards the central column then spreads into an encircling loop around the tube area. Personally, I find the entire installation to suggest a microscope and lab equipment, all of which can lead to learning and transformation of our understanding of the world around us. The installation is intended as a "front door" to the campus and encourages visitors to relax and reflect. Review #1308

Downtown Columbus is filled with public art. The Commons is the site of some wonderful pieces,…read moreboth inside and out. 2 Arcs de 212.5 is one of those on the outside. In 1987, artist Bernar Venet created this minimalist work by bending two 4.5" beams to form parts of a circular shape to precisely 212.5 degrees of the 360 needed for a completed shape. According to the artist, it is physically demanding to bend such thick pieces precisely to maintain the shape along the entire length. The pieces were then rotated so that they weren't balanced at the same point on the arcs. They were then mounted to a base and painted a vibrant red color. In 1998, the piece was moved from the Irwin home and donated to the Columbus Area Arts Council in honor of the council's 25th anniversary. The piece is commonly referred to as "The Red C" in honor of Columbus. Review #1275

Located within the west end drive around Mill Race Park, a bright red tubular structure was created…read morein 1992 by artist Stanley Saitowitz (designed by Michael Van Valkenburg). The tube extends over an area leading from the central pond west towards the river. The tube is made from a fence like material that is ideal for the nearby vines to grow over and create a shaded place to stroll or relax on one of the rows of benches. The artist also created more structures within the park and they all share a common bright red color to match the nearby lamp posts outside the park, and the bridge over I-65. Other park features by Saitowitz include the scaffolding for the amphitheater and a shelter along the pond on the north end of the park where visitors can fish. The vibrant red of the pieces stands out against the lush greens of spring and summer and the orange and yellows of autumn. In the winter, after the vines are trimmed, the red stands out in contrast to the barren winterscape. Review #1309

Daquai by Peter Lundberg (2005) is one of those pieces of art that looks differently from each…read moreside. It is fortunate that the installation is located on the lawn at Robert Garton Plaza where visitors can view the art from all sides. The art is comprised of stainless steel and concrete and weighs about nine tons! From the north, the piece looks like a twisted shape like a ribbon. From the east, it looks narrow and has a gently rolling edge like a slide. From the south, the piece looks much more solid and substantial with much of the open spaces not visible because of a large flap that extends close to the ground. The piece looks primitive but not completely unnatural even with the twisting shapes. Review #1302

A real-life Chihuly in Columbus, Indiana?! Heck yes! This famous glass artist with work seen in…read moreSeattle's Chihuly museum, Indy's Children Museum, and many other well-known spots across the globe, it's an honor to have such a large piece in a town's visitor's center. Columbus, Indiana may be small, but they're known for their world-class architecture and public sculptures. This chandelier is no exception to that. Make sure you stop in the visitor's center and look at this gorgeous glass, hanging from the ceiling in the stairwell. Enjoy!

Some artists have such distinctive styles that you can recognize their main style anywhere. Such…read moreis the case with the work of Dale Chihuly. His glass sculpture "Yellow Neon Chandelier" is a familiar style for anyone who has visited the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. Inside the Visitors Center in Columbus, the west stairwell holds the 9' high (6' wide) chandelier of multiple bright yellow swirl pointed tubes. The collection of tubes are broadest near the top and then taper to a point at the bottom. Each of the tubes is blown glass. Chihuly isn't limited to one style of artwork though. Inside the Center, there are lithographs that were created by the artist. But there is no doubt that creating fascinating works of glass requires as much knowledge of engineering as it does talent. In addition to the chandelier, the Center has a collection of "Persians" that are displayed below it. According to Chihuly's website, "Persians are an exploration of form, shape and color--a celebration of wild asymmetry and swirling pattern. They have an ancient sensibility, and for Chihuly, conjure notions of Venice, and the Near and Far East." And if these pieces aren't enough, take a short trip up to the IUPUC campus (4555 Central Avenue) to see the "Sun Garden" (2007) which is a painted plexiglass disc suspended from the ceiling of the Columbus Learning Center. While at the Visitors Center, don't be afraid to ask the staff about the artist. I learned a lot about his process and his history from them. Review #1304

On the west side of Columbus Regional Health, a limestone sculpture called "Halcyon" was installed…read morein 2011. The piece was carved by Todd Frahm (from Solsberry, Ind). The sculpture shows a hand rising from the water holding a bird. Halcyon is a genus of bird and according to Greek mythology, has the power to "calm the waves". Halcyon also means joyful, peaceful, and prosperous. After the Great Flood of 2008 when the hospital was damaged and surrounded by flood waters, it was decided that a commemorative piece be commissioned to honor the physicians, staff, and volunteers who worked through the horrible conditions and helped restore the hospital to working order. Review #1311

You know a small city is cool when it has a Sculptor in Residence in its Parks and Recreation…read moreDepartment. How many do that? Well, during the late 1970's, Columbus had artist Rick Bauer in that role. Cannon is one of the sculptures Bauer created for Columbus. It sits just north of town at the Donner Center along 22nd Street. The steel sculpture (at one time painted black) is abstract but with imagination, one can see the image of a cannon. I am not sure if that is an official title or intent, but I have seen it referred that way in the City's promotional information which led me to the piece. The piece weighs around 1 ton. It was installed in 1980. If you are interested in Bauer's work, you can find another piece at Mill Trace Park near the observation tower. Review #1305