The Flashlight

Had anyone ever imagined a flashlight, not illuminating the path ahead, but casting its beam downwards? Here at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, stands The Flashlight, a 38-foot tall sculpture, defying expectations. It’s nestled in the plaza between Artemus Ham Concert Hall and Judy Bayley Theatre. The Flashlight, made of 24 black steel fins, arrived here in 1981, immediately capturing national attention. The artist, Claes Oldenburg, known for his oversized everyday objects, chose the flashlight as a tribute to Las Vegas. He saw the city as a “beacon of light” in the vast desert darkness, a small patch of illumination from above. The Flashlight, ironically, points towards the ground. This wasn’t the initial plan. Originally, the beam was meant to shine skyward. Coosje van Bruggen, Oldenburg’s collaborator, critiqued this idea, calling it cliché and authoritarian. This critique led to the upside-down installation, not concerns about interfering with McCarran International Airport, as campus legend claims. The sculpture even has a fluorescent light ring at its base. It mimics a real flashlight, turned upside down, further playing with the concept of inverted illumination. The 38-foot height was deliberate. It mirrors the surrounding buildings, creating a sense of harmony. The Flashlight’s journey to UNLV adds another layer to its story. The truck driver hauling it across the country reported constant inquiries over his CB radio. People were curious about the strange cargo he carried. The Flashlight, conceived as a way to enhance the performing arts center’s vision, cost over $70,000, requiring additional private funding and a National Endowment for the Arts grant. The Flashlight, once controversial, is now a cherished part of the UNLV landscape. It stands as a quirky symbol of Las Vegas and a testament to the power of artistic vision.