“Have you ever seen engineering and art come together?” The Commons Tower Sculpture is a prime example. Located in Columbus, Indiana, this 30-foot tall sculpture is a downtown marvel.
This sculptural machine is called Chaos I. The name is particularly fitting. The Commons Tower Sculpture has been a local fascination for decades. It is one of Columbus’ most iconic pieces of public art.
Back in the early 1970s, the Miller family commissioned Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. The goal was to create a centerpiece for The Commons during Columbus’ downtown transformation. The intent was to draw people together. They wanted people to talk, watch, and spend time examining this spectacle.
Tinguely found inspiration in Columbus. He admired its engineering prowess and architectural prominence. Tinguely lived in Columbus for two years. During that time, he created the Commons Tower Sculpture Chaos I. It became his largest piece of work in the United States.
Tinguely was inspired by the motion and randomness of life. He was tasked with creating a clock-like sculpture. It needed to have movement. He had a grand vision. He wanted something that mimicked the chaos of life. After conceiving the idea for his sculpture, Tinguely turned to the community. He needed materials and expertise to fabricate the piece.
Tinguely searched for scrap metal and interesting pieces. He found them at a local scrapyard. Local companies manufactured and supplied a gargantuan ball bearing and twelve electric motors. With all the materials in hand, Tinguely commissioned a local electrical engineer. The engineer synchronized the motors’ electrical panels. This ensured that all parts of the Commons Tower Sculpture would move according to his vision. Three years after Tinguely was commissioned, Chaos I was dedicated in May 1974.
Colorful rotating parts branch out from the dark center by design. The arms of the structure gently glide by one another. Then, they suddenly move quickly in a seemingly erratic pattern. These movements demonstrate the chaos Tinguely had in mind. At times, steel balls roll and crash through a caged rack. This creates cacophonous sounds, making this a multi-sensory experience.
The Commons Tower Sculpture only functions fully during designated times to preserve it. Visitors can see it fully come to life a few times a year. Chaos I, the Commons Tower Sculpture, stands as a testament to the beauty found in the unpredictable nature of life.