The Center of the Universe, (sculpture).

The Center of the Universe, (sculpture).

Nauman, Bruce, 1941- , sculptor.

Jaynes Company, fabricator.

The Center of the Universe, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Concrete, iron grate, and six sodium vapor lamps.

Approx. 50 x 50 x 50 ft.

(On circular plaque in center of central ground grate, raised letters:) (Inner circle:) THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE (Outer circle:) THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE B. NAUMAN 1988 FUNDED BY U.N.M. FOUNDATION & N.E.A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES unsigned

A massive concrete architectural structure consisting of four wings or hallways that extend in all four directions, and a wing or open hallway-type structure that is vertical and rises skyward. Another wing or open pit extends into the ground with a grate over its top. All of these wings extend from a central locus marked by the grated pit and all are of equal dimensions.

Abstract -- Geometric

Allegory -- Religion -- Heaven

Allegory -- Religion -- Hell

Allegory -- Place -- Extraterrestrial

Outdoor Sculpture -- New Mexico -- Albuquerque

Administered by University of New Mexico, Facility Planning, 1841 Lomas Boulevard, N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131

Located University of New Mexico, Between Mitchell & Ortega Halls, north of Yale Mall, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Funded with a National Endowment for the Arts, Art in Public Places grant of $50,000 given in 1983 to the State University of New Mexico. Additional funding was provided by the University of New Mexico Foundation. The sculpture symbolizes the four directions, heaven and hell. The sculpture has been the subject of controversy. For related information see: the Albuquerque Tribune, June 21, 1988; and the New Mexico Daily Lobo, Jan. 18, 1988. For additional information see: Bruce Nauman's "Bruce Nauman: The Exhibition," Minneapolis: Walker Art Center; New York, N.Y.: Distributed by Art Publishers, 1994.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New Mexico survey, 1994.

Heritage Preservation SOS! survey of NEA Art in Public Places funded sculpture, 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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