Ever notice how some shapes just stick with you? That’s the power of Martin Puryear’s “Everything That Rises” sculpture. This piece is located right here in Seattle.
“Everything That Rises” is a sculpture by Martin Puryear. It sits on the University of Washington campus. Many people think it resembles a peanut. Others see a p orbital.
Puryear’s sculpture was created between 1993 and 1997. It is a complex and symmetrical vessel. Yet it appears elementary.
The title “Everything That Rises” comes from Flannery O’Connor’s short story. O’Connor herself was quoting Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He was a French theologian. The phrase alludes to union with God. Puryear liked that the title was provocative. He wanted it to open up possible ways for people to look at the work.
Puryear was interested in the movement of fluids or gases in space. This led him to think about vessels. He considered how they control or contain movements in space. He also became interested in the trade of the coppersmith. Puryear wanted to work with plate copper sheet to form shapes. These shapes are often used in commercial applications.
“Everything That Rises” is made of silicon bronze. It stands 27 feet tall. The sculpture weighs 8000 pounds. Its base weighs 2000 pounds. The sculpture reflects its surroundings like a dark mirror. The glass entrance of a nearby building also reflects it. Its scale mediates between the buildings and passing students.
Richard Andrews was the gallery director of the university’s Henry Gallery. He said the sculpture gives the same view from any point. Andrews calls “Everything That Rises” a point of all paths coming together. It is a hinge point for this plaza and building.
Puryear dared to create a piece that was radially symmetrical. It is circular in cross section at any point throughout its length. It looks as though it were turned on a lathe. The rotation makes it an anchor. It is a fixed point on the site.
Andrews notes its singularity. It’s a still point. It is also a very large object that floats in space. It’s a sculptural counterpoint to Barnett Newman’s “Broken Obelisk”.
Vendome Copper & Brass Works constructed “Everything that Rises.” They made dies to form 12 truncated cones. These cones were then welded together. The base is designed to withstand wind and seismic conditions.
So, next time you are passing by, take a moment to appreciate “Everything That Rises”. Think about its shape. Consider its title. Ponder the artist’s intent. This sculpture offers a unique focal point. It encourages reflection.