News release from the Fort Wayne Museum of Art:
‘Helmholtz’ by Mark di Suvero returns after over a year of repairs
FWMoA plans a week of celebration September 21-28
(September 9, 2014) – After more than a year of repairs and planning, the bright red-orange I-beam steel sculpture known as Helmholtz by famed sculptor Mark di Suvero is returning to the collection of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, with reinstallation in Freimann Square to occur September 11-12.
The 11-ton sculpture was struck by a drunk driver on June 16, 2013, causing damage so severe that the sculpture had to be totally dismantled and shipped to the artist Mark di Suvero’s studio in Petaluma, California, where the 80 year old artist could supervise the repairs himself. With di Suvero leading these repairs, the sculpture retains its value, estimated at $1 million, and prominence in art history.
To celebrate the return of this city icon, the Museum is planning a series of events to educate the public on the significance of this work of art. The week of September 21-28, the public is invited to compete in a Twitter selfie contest by visiting Freimann Square and snapping creative photos of themselves with the sculpture, then tweeting the photos to @FWMoA. One winner will receive a cash prize of $250 and a one year FWMoA Family Membership. Participants are not encouraged to climb on the sculpture. The winner will be announced the week of September 29.
On September 25 at 6:00pm, FWMoA Executive Director Charles Shepard will present a lecture on Mark di Suvero and his successful career as a sculptor with work in more than 50 cities worldwide. The lecture is free to the public.
On September 26 at 2:00pm, Shepard will lead a walking tour of the Museum’s outdoor sculptures, ending at the Helmholtz site. The tour is free, but museum admission will apply if visitors wish to view the indoor gallery exhibits.
About the Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Beginning with art classes in 1888 given by J. Ottis Adams and later William Forsyth, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art has evolved into a center for the visual arts community in Northern Indiana. Regularly exhibiting nationally acclaimed artists, the FWMoA also boasts an extensive permanent collection of American and related art. FWMoA is committed to the collection, preservation, presentation and interpretation of American and related art to engage broad and diverse audiences throughout the community and region, and add value to their lives. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is a funded partner of Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne.
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