Divisions - Dayton, Ohio
Posted by: 
DougK
N 39° 46.915 W 084° 03.806
16S E 751480 N 4407678
Divisions is an abstract art piece made from twisted steel i-beams and 150 year-old wood beams. It resides in an amphitheater-like setting on the campus of Wright State University.
Waymark Code: WMMH9J
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 09/21/2014
Views: 1
Divisions is an abstract sculpture on the campus of
Wright State University. The sculpture is made from steel I-beams and wood beams. Students have nicknamed this sculpture “bacon”, because of the twisted shapes and color.
The wooden parts of the sculpture have plaques mounted on them with a messages written in a different language for each plaque. From the Smithsonian AIC Inscription:
Hunger and fear can vanquish all human resistance and all freedom. Freedom consists in knowing freedom is in danger. But to know or be conscious of, is to have time to avoid and prevent the moment of inhumanity. It is this perpetual postponement of the hour of betrayal--the infinitesimal difference between the human being and the non-human being.
(Translations appear in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, English; the original is in French). unsigned
From the Smithsonian AIC Description:
Abstract sculpture comprised of wood and twisted steel I-beams arranged on the staging area of the University amphitheater. The wooden sections are bolted together and have indications of burning. The I-beams are painted brick red. The wood and steel elements are arranged in small groups around the staging area. Emmanuel Levinas' "Totalite et Infini" is translated into six languages and inscribed on as many plaques installed on the sculpture.
The Divisions sculpture is large enough to be seen in Google Satellite View.