DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines’ John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is celebrating its 10th birthday with some love. The Des Moines Register reports that the park is now home to a version of the late artist Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture.
Crews worked Thursday morning to install the sculpture, which depicts the word “LOVE” in red with the “L” and “O” stacked on top of the “V” and “E.”
The Museum of Modern Art used the image as its Christmas card in 1965, and the U.S. Postal Service portrayed it on a stamp in 1973. Similar versions of the sculpture are located in many cities.
An icon of American Modern Art, LOVE, 1969-1999, is the signature work of the artist. Beginning in 1964, Indiana began to create images and objects using the word LOVE. Indiana maintained that a single word could be a viable subject of art by harnessing its emotional charge and the power of language. The artist stated, “Here the quartered field is filled with the four letters of love, as compactly and economically as possible, but with my interest in the circle still called to mind by the tilted ‘o’.”
It was quickly adopted by the “love generation” and enjoyed mass appeal, which continues today.
Local philanthropists John and Mary Pappajohn have previously donated 30 works to the park. They contributed the money for the Des Moines Art Center, which curates the park, to buy the sculpture.
The sculpture park will celebrate its 10th anniversary in September.
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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com
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AP-WF-07-25-19 2143GMT