How about a closer look at The Fourth Sign? This striking sculpture graces the lawn outside the Art Building at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. It is a piece that has sparked conversation and curiosity since its installation.
The Fourth Sign was created by American artist Tony Smith. He designed it in 1974. But it was fabricated and installed in 1977. The sculpture is made of steel and painted black. It stands as a representation of Cancer. Cancer is the fourth sign of the Zodiac represented by the crab.
The Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts commissioned The Fourth Sign. This was done in accordance with the Art in State Buildings Law. Over time, many have observed the shape and form of the sculpture. They see it as a nod to the legs and claws of a crab.
Let’s consider the physical structure of The Fourth Sign. It comprises nine straight sections joined end to end. Together they form a broken circle. Three horizontal sections sit on the ground. Think of a clock face. One section lies at the center of 12 o’clock. The other two meet around 6 o’clock, where the circle breaks.
Two wide arches connect these sections. Each arch includes three sections. The Fourth Sign defines its own “inside” and “outside”. It remains open to the sky. It also evokes a distinct feeling of safety. It feels like an enclosure.
In 1978, John Charlot provided an interesting observation. He was a Honolulu-based artist. He was also a professor of religion. He noted how quickly the university embraced Smith’s sculpture. Students would drape themselves over it. They would nestle within its circle. He compared this to bathing under Manoa falls. He described it as a local reaction to something beautiful and a gift.
Tony Smith visited Hawaiʻi in the summer of 1969. The university invited him to teach a sculpture course. He considered two other projects for the campus. These were Haole Crater and Hubris. But only The Fourth Sign came to fruition.
In 1976, Mamoru Sato was commissioned to oversee the fabrication. He was an art professor at the university. He was also a sculptor. The Hawaii Welding Company, Inc. carried out the work. The total cost was $65,000. The National Endowment for the Arts Visual Arts Program supported The Fourth Sign. It provided a $20,000 grant. The edition is limited to this single piece. It was completed in 1977.
It was noted in 1998 that many outdoor pieces were in disrepair. This ranged from neglect to vandalism. The Fourth Sign was surveyed in 1994. This was part of the Save Outdoor Sculpture project. But there is no existing record of its condition.
So, here stands The Fourth Sign. It is more than just a sculpture. It embodies a fusion of art, community, and the unique spirit of Hawaiʻi. It invites interaction and reflection for all who pass by.