Fall 2008 Inside/Out
October 2 – December 21
Spencer Museum Front Lawn
As you approach the Spencer this fall, you'll notice that the center greenspace in front of the Museum is punctuated by a series of metal boxes. Each box is perforated with numbers, and a clue to their meaning is etched on the back. The installation has prompted plenty of questions from curious patrons and passersby.
Here's the scoop! In accordance with recent practice, the Museum has again tried to connect the exterior with what's happening in the galleries. In this case, the boxes are inspired by the Spencer's two time-related fall exhibitions. The installation is the brainchild of Lawrence artist and architect Scott Voelker, whose company Eggman Ink Design provides a variety of design and architectural solutions, in collaboration with Richard Klocke, SMA exhibits designer.
So what do the numbers mean? Well, it's actually not that mysterious. Each sequence simply represents the current calendar year in a particular system. Read from the street, those are: 1429 (Islamic); 4706 (Chinese); 5109 (Hindu); 2008 (Gregorian); and 5769 (Hebrew).
Another fun fact about the boxes: If you happen to see the Spencer at twilight or after, you may notice a soft red glow radiating from the lights within. After all, time is nothing if not illuminating...
