Constellation Earth, (sculpture).

Constellation Earth, (sculpture).

Granlund, Paul Theodore, 1925-2003, sculptor.

Constellation Earth, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: concrete.

Sculpture: approx. H. 6 ft. x Diam. 6 ft.; Base: approx. Diam. 3 ft.

Paul T. Granlund signed

An open, sphere-shaped sculpture made up of seven nude figures with linked hands and feet represents the Earth. The figures, four female and three male, represent the continents, with the male figures as North America, Africa, and Australia. A female figure in the fetal position at the bottom is Antarctica. The figures appear to be floating in a circular movement. Sculpture is mounted upon a circular, multitiered base.

Figure group -- Nude

Allegory -- Element -- Earth

Allegory -- Civic -- Peace

Outdoor Sculpture -- Iowa -- Fayette

Coadministered by Upper Iowa University, Groundskeeping/Maintenance, 605 Washington Street, Fayette, Iowa 52142

Coadministered by Upper Iowa University, Administration, 605 Washington Street, Fayette, Iowa 52142

Located Upper Iowa University, South of Alexander-Dickman Hall, Fayette, Iowa

Robert Jensen was the consultant on the placement of the sculpture. Nearby plaque reads: Paul T. Granlund "Constellation Earth" 1984 Bronze. "Constellation Earth is a six-foot spear of seven interdependent figures symbolic of seven continents. The sculpture infers a perspective of the Earth as one might see it from space. It is a symbol of world Peace and represents people as continents, independent yet interdependent."-P.T.G. For related reading see the books "Paul T. Granlund: Spirit of Bronze, Shape of Freedom," by William K. Freiert (Minneapolis, MN: Primarius Limited Publishing, 1991) and "Granlund: the Sculptor and his Work," edited by Kathryn Christenson and Kelvin W. Miller (St. Peter, MN: Gustavus Adolphus College, 1978).

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Iowa survey, 1996.

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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