Above and Below, 2007
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN
Epoxy-coated Aluminum
20’ x 100’ x 18’

Photography: Eric Lurbrick, courtesy IMA

I envisioned a work that consists of two parts, based on the upper and lower sections of a stretch of the underground river/cavern system that flows beneath much of the state of Indiana. I had discovered in my initial research into the terrain of the area that the largest underground river system in the world is located here, completely hidden from view. I wanted to reveal this natural phenomenon.

We went spelunking to get a profile of the upper reaches of the cavern, and local scientists surveyed the underwater terrain for me. I then created a series of drawings that led to the form of the sculpture, deliberately separating the upper and lower reaches so only at the middle where the two halves meet do you see a completion of the cavern in section.