Spaceship Earth, Public sculpture at Kennesaw State University, United States.
Spaceship Earth was a massive spherical sculpture made from Brazilian blue quartzite, weighing approximately 350,000 pounds, that stood on the Kennesaw State University campus. Bronze elements embedded in its surface depicted continents and landmasses, creating a detailed geographical representation.
PowerBar founders Brian and Jennifer Maxwell commissioned the 175-ton tribute to environmentalist David Brower shortly before his death in 2000, after the idea came to Brian Maxwell on a morning run with photographer Galen Rowell. Rejected by arts commissions in San Francisco and Berkeley, the quartzite sculpture was accepted by Kennesaw State University and unveiled on October 20, 2006. It collapsed that December; reconstruction finished in November 2007, and it was removed from campus on December 20, 2022.
The name came from David Brower, who often used "Spaceship Earth" to describe mankind travelling through life in a common vehicle. The tribute was conceived by PowerBar founder Brian Maxwell during a morning run with photographer Galen Rowell, and the Maxwell family paid for it in Brower's honour.
The sculpture was located near the Social Sciences Building on campus and was accessible during regular university hours. The grounds are pedestrian-friendly, making it easy for visitors to explore the surrounding area.
The work consisted of approximately 88 individual quartzite blocks joined together with specialized polyepoxide to create a seamless sphere. This construction method was unusual for its time and demonstrated an innovative approach to large-scale natural stone artworks.
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