LOVE (Sculpture)
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| LOVE | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Indiana |
| Dedicated | 1970, Cor-ten steel |
LOVE is one of the Indianapolis Museum of Art's most well known sculptures, and is an iconic image that has been a well known element of pop culture since its conception. Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” image takes sculptural form in numerous American locations, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The inspiration for many posters, pictures, jewelry, Valentines cards, paraphernalia, and its own stamp, Indiana’s iconic “LOVE” has also spawned some unloving offshoots from album covers to “HATE" parodies. However, now outside of the museum, the sculpture signifies the new unity of art and nature that the Indianapolis Museum is trying to achieve. In its new home in the largest museum park in the United States, “LOVE” stands again as its original sculptural testament to peace in war torn times.[1] The IMA's LOVE was created in 1970 of cor-ten steel, and was a gift to the museum from the Friends of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, in memory of Henry F. DeBoest.[2]
Indiana’s work often incorporates commonplace words and signs, such as “LOVE” or “EAT” and “pieces by Indiana stem from not only symmetry, color and form, but also content that addresses politics, religion and the human condition.”[3] Seemingly simple, its message is one often overlooked, and one that has become integral to Indiana’s repertoire. Peace and love are never simple, yet always fundamentally human and fundamentally beautiful. Its new outdoor home, where future contemporary sculptures will also reside, illustrates the cyclical nature of art. One of its original messages of peace is again being embraced, just as the meanings of the contemporary sculptures in the park will be seen and re-seen. Born of a word, and adopted as a message of peace, it’s meaning remains as powerful as ever.
[edit] Learn More
- LOVE at the Indianapolis Museum on Flickr [1]
- View conservation work on LOVE on YouTube [2]
- Indianapolis Museum of Art Gardens + Grounds
- The Sutphin Fountain at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
- The Numbers 0-9 sculpture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
