Broken Symmetry - Fermilab, Batavia, IL - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Scientists at Fermilab carry out research in high-energy physics to answer the questions: What is the universe made of? How does it work? Where did it come from?

This three-span arch, painted black on one side and orange on the other, appears perfectly symmetrical when viewed directly from below or above, but has carefully calculated asymmetry from its other views.

FYI: "Battleship" armor from the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Princeton is incorporated in "Broken Symmetry," thus beating swords into plowshares. Commissioned in 1945, the ship operated in the Atlantic until June, 1946 when she was transferred to the Pacific fleet. Decommissioned in 1949, she was reactivated for combat duty during Korean hostilities. Later Princeton served in Vietnam and in April, 1969, was designated prime recovery ship for Apollo 10-the lunar mission which paved the way for Apollo 11 and the first landing on the moon. She was decommissioned May 20, 1971.

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From Art Inventory site:
Dimensions:
Sculpture: approx. 50 x 26 x 22 ft.; Base: approx. W. 43 ft. D. 36 in. (42,000 lbs.).
Description: "Abstract tri-span sculpture whose legs arch to join at 50 ft. above the ground. The legs widen near the top and are narrower at the bottom. There are three holes in the upper regions of each leg. All the pieces are painted orange."

TITLE: Broken Symmetry ARTIST(S): Wilson, Robert R., sculptor. DATE: May 1978 MEDIUM: Sculpture: steel, painted orange; Base: concrete. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS IL000137 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Straddles the Pine Street entrance, near Kirk Road. DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: none

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Date Logged Log   07/27/2011 adgorn visited it