'Interstellar Record' lands at Depot Gallery

Hovering about 11 feet above ground, a bronze, steel and aluminum sculpture titled "Interstellar Record" is the newest addition to the Sculpture Garden at the Red Wing Arts Association's Depot Gallery.

Flueger Construction Co. lifted the 1,700 pound sculpture into place Thursday atop three tall legs. It will remain on display for a year.

Sara Hanson of Minneapolis and artists from the Interact Studio, also in Minneapolis, created the sculpture.

"In 2005 I received the Public Projects Grant from Forecast Public Artworks to create a public sculpture with some artists from the Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, a center for adults with (dis)abilities," Hanson said.

The piece is based on the so-called Golden Record, created by Carl Sagan and included in the two Voyager spacecraft which were launched in 1977. The record contains sounds and images selected to portray life and culture on Earth, and is intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form which may find it.

"Our 'Interstellar Record' honors visual arts, which was omitted from the 1977 record," Hanson said.

She cast the aluminum portion of the sculpture, which contains symbols chosen by the Interact artists that represent their idea of life on earth. A number of familiar images can be seen. An event with the Interact artists is being planned for August.

Medallions encircling the sculpture also contain familiar symbols. One even makes a comment: "We are not alone in this vast universe. I hope not."

The project included a cast metal workshop, a metal pour at Franconia (Minn.) Sculpture Park, and creation of the record. Anurag Sculpture Studio and Art Foundry of Stillwater, Minn., cast the bronze elements.

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