Mobility -- Lawrence KS - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

From the Smithsonian inventory, a very spare description that (we think) misses the power and impact of the piece: (visit link)

"Description: fountain sculpture depicting two intersecting spirals is installed in a circular basin"

Although we had to use our imagination on a cold winter day in March to experience this sculpture (the fountain base of it was turned off and dry), we were still struck by the power of this piece, and its irony: This fixed and motionless work of art nevertheless has a strong sense of motion about it. It recalled for us the incessant rolling motion of the countless train wheels that rolled by here starting in 1889, that continue to come by every few minutes today.

We also enjoyed the feeling of the earth and its axis, more spinning allusions there! An added dimension we saw in this aspect of the work is a reminder that Lawrence is a rail hub, from which point you could start a journey that could take you anywhere on the globe.

From the Lawrence KS Arts Commission website: (visit link)

"Mobility

by Shellie Bender

Location: Lawrence Visitors Center
402 N. 2nd Street, formerly the Union Pacific Depot

Year purchased: 1996

This piece, created by Lawrence artist, Shellie Bender, is sculpted out of stainless steel and features a fountain at its base.

It has somewhat of an allusion to the Earth on its axis. Though stationary, everything about it suggests motion, perhaps referring to the trains nearby.

Location: Massachusets Ave. and 2nd St., just north of the bridge." [end]

TITLE: Mobility ARTIST(S): Shellie Bender DATE: 1997 MEDIUM: Stanless steel CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 74870063 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: 402 N 2nd St Restored Union Pacific Depot Lawrence, KS 66044 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: no differences - this art is well-described in the inventory

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Date Logged Log   03/14/2013 Benchmark Blasterz visited it