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0004164

Author/Editor: KATZIVE David H.

Publisher: Art Journal

Place Published: New York

Year: 1973

Date & Collation: (Spring) 32(3) 284-288(12 illus).

Description: Until 1967 a simple bronze plaque hung on a fence at the University of Chicago stating that 'On December 21942 man achieved here the first self-sustaining chain reaction and thereby initiated the controlled release of nuclear energy'. On the 25th anniversary of this event the plaque was replaced by a monument of great drama and suggestive force: the large sculpture by Henry Moore known as Nuclear Energy." (Nuclear Energy 1964-1966 bronze). This article outlines the history of commissioning the work and includes statements by Henry Moore from a tape-recorded interview (See 0010751). The illustrations show the sculpture at different stages of production and the finished work in situ. "The top of it is like some large mushroom or a kind of mushroom cloud. Also it has a kind of head shape like the top of a skull but down below is more an architectural cathedral. One might think of the lower part of it being a protective form and constructed for human beings and the top being more like the idea of the destructive side of the atom. So between the two it might express to people in a symbolic way the whole event." Text states that Jacques LIPCHITZ was also sent the initial letter of interest from Chicago University."