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More Smithsonian Searches     Who else has...     Severson, William Conrad,     Schultz, Saunders,     Scopia Studios,     Abstract -- Geometric     Kinetic     Fountain     Outdoor Sculpture -- Missouri -- Clayton     Sculpture

Primogenesis, (sculpture). Artist:  Severson, William Conrad, 1924-1999 , sculptor. Schultz, Saunders, 1927-2017, sculptor. Scopia Studios, fabricator. Title:  Primogenesis, (sculpture). Dates:  Copyrighted 1981. Dedicated Sept. 27, 1981. Digital Reference:  Medium:  Sculpture: stainless steel and solar cells; Base: galvanized iron. Dimensions:  Sculpture: approx. 25 x 25 x 25 ft. Inscription:  unsigned Description:  "This 25 ft. stainless steel sculpture has at its center two round stainless steel panels, which are covered with 36 thin, silicon-coated disks capable of converting the sun's rays into electricity, which turns the sculpture. Stainless steel spokes radiate from the center to a stainless steel, curved rim." The sunlight collected from the silicon-coated disks powers a motor in the sculpture's base, causing the sculpture to rotate approximately 1 1/2 times every 2 hours in full sunlight. The sculpture is located in the center of a reflecting pool. Subject:  Abstract -- Geometric Object Type:  Kinetic Fountain Outdoor Sculpture -- Missouri -- Clayton Sculpture Owner:  Administered by St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110 Located Oak Knoll Park, Clayton Road & Big Bend, Clayton, Missouri 63105 Remarks:  Sculptors William Conrad Severson and Saunders Schultz collaborated on this sculpture, which was fabricated in the studio they founded, Scopia Studios. IAS files contain a copy of a magazine article from American Way (Aug. 1982), in which the technology of this kinetic sculpture is discussed. The article also discusses the meaning of the name of the sculpture: "Severson named the work Primogenesis, which translates 'first origins,' because it is powered by the sun, the origin of all energy." IAS files also contain a copy of a photograph and its caption, from an unidentified source; according to the caption, this sculpture was dedicated Sept. 27, 1981 in memory of Marguerite D. Yates (d. 1980), long-time assistant director of the St. Louis Museum of Science and Natural History. For related article see: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sept. 25, 1981. References:  Save Outdoor Sculpture, Missouri, St. Louis survey, 1992. McCue, George, "Sculpture City: St. Louis," New York: Hudson Hills Press, Inc., 1988, pg. 138. Schlegel, Ronald J., "Sun Sculpture," American Way (Aug. 1992): pg. 4. Schultz, Saunders, 2002. Illustration:  Image on file. McCue, George, "Sculpture City: St. Louis," New York: Hudson Hills Press, Inc., 1988, pg. 138. Note:  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. Repository:  Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012 Control Number:  IAS 87810033   Copy/Holding information Smithsonian AmericanArt Museum Control Number   Inventory of American Sculpture 87810033 Add Copy to MyList Format: HTMLPlain textDelimited Subject:   Email to:

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