LOVE

LOVE is a large-scale sculpture made of weathering steel, featuring four oversized letters in bright colors with the O tilted at a 45-degree angle. It sits in the outdoor space of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, creating a bold geometric presence that appears different from every viewing angle.

Artist Robert Indiana created the first version in 1970, building on the success of his 1965 holiday card for the Museum of Modern Art. The design became widely reproduced and has appeared in different versions across many cities worldwide.

The sculpture comes from the Pop Art movement, which transformed everyday language and bright colors into serious art. It shows how artists in that era found beauty in simple words and bold signs, the same visual language people saw on streets and in advertisements.

The sculpture sits outdoors and is freely accessible on the museum grounds, viewable from all sides. Visit during daylight hours for the best photographs, and note that the outdoor setting means you can approach it from multiple angles to find your preferred vantage point.

Though the design looks simple, the weathering steel requires special consideration because the material develops an orange-brown patina over time, subtly shifting the appearance of the colors. This natural weathering process is part of the artistic concept and means each installation ages uniquely.