Spirit Tower

“"Spirit Tower" was commissioned by The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and dedicated December 8, 1993. [...] The geometric boxed elements, which also contain interior grids, arise from, pass through, and surround the main vertical planes.  The viewer may enter the movement of the sculpture from any angle and discover new ever-changing visual relationships.

“As you have previously seen from the view of Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, iron minerals in the sandstone formations have been altered through oxidation and have become buff, yellow-orange, and reddish-brown. I chose cor-ten steel because its evolving color and oxidation process are similar to those in the surrounding terrain.  Since our climate is arid, the patina of the sculpture was initially accelerated with muriatic acid, ferric nitrate, and frequent watering.  Common grade carbon steel contains a minor number of impurities such as phosphorous, sulfur, and manganese. Cor-ten steel has the addition of silicon, chromium, nickel, and vanadium.  A high nickel content, (.65%) means it has four times the corrosion resistance of carbon steel.  The surface rust is self-sealing after a point.

“Abstract structural forms in the sculpture conceptually relate to forms in nature that result from geological processes. There are fractures, segments from the main body of the sculpture, linear intersections, and transpositions. The geometric shapes correspond to the surrounding mountains, desert, and plants, as well as relate to man’s architectural forms. The verticality of the sculpture is juxtaposed with the curvilinear, horizontal flow of the library building, creating a harmony of contrast.  Energies of movement and changing light are tapped by the sculpture.  Expanding and contracting shadows extend, repeat, and distort shapes, revealing new perspectives. The interactional space is defined, dissolved, and reborn every season with the changing position of the sun and each hour with the changing light.”