Maquina, (sculpture).

Maquina, (sculpture).

Severson, William Conrad, 1924-1999 , sculptor.

Maquina, (sculpture).

Descendant's Fountain, (sculpture).

Installed summer 1994.

Stainless steel.

Approx. H. 18 ft.

Maquina, the Spanish word for machine, is a fountain sculpture that makes use of water in three forms, as a liquid, a vapor, and a solid. The water in liquid form travels down the base and over several cascades toward a 22 foot high column. Compressed air shoots the water up to the top of the column and down over the sides into a reflecting pool. Sensors located on columns along the sidewalk in front of the sculpture allow visitors to alter the water spay displays. In a lab beneath the Engineering Mall, students can change the lighting and compressed air displays.

Outdoor Sculpture -- Wisconsin -- Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Engineering Mall, in front of Engineering Hall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706

The artist created Maquina as a bridge between art and engineering. The alternate title for the sculpture, "Descendant's Fountain," which is carved into the sidewalk in front of the sculpture, provides a link between students of various years, as well as a link with members of the artist's family who have attended the university.

Inventory Staff, 2002.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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