The Wave Field, 1995
Francois Xavier Bagnoud Aerospace Engineering Building
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
105ft x 80ft x 3ft tall (10,000 sq. ft)

Photography: Balthazar Korab

The sculpture is an expression of a simple water wave, taking its inspiration from the study of fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and turbulence.  In approaching the design of a sculpture for the University of Michigan, the artist wanted to relate her interests in landscape to aerospace engineering. A specific image of a naturally occurring repetitive water wave became the foundation for the artwork, and makes a connection to flight while typing the sculpture to the context of its site.  Water and fluidity create an endless motion within which visitors can enter and interact. The sculpture is viewable from both the classrooms above it and from the surrounding garden.