Secondhand Geology, 2017
Ball-Nogues Studio
Benjamin Ball (American, born 1968); Gaston Nogues (Argentinian, born 1967)
Location: Central Washington University
Discovery Hall, southeast corner
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
Secondhand Geology is a free-standing obelisk, or pillar, made from stacked compressed steel blocks. Placing the sculpture next to CWU's geology department, Ball-Nogues Studio reference the layers and striations of a geological core sample. With this piece the artists were interested in "blurring the distinction between the fabricated and the terrestrial; this means the things that are manufactured by people versus rock and landforms that are made by way of geological forces. We associate the former with the precision of industrial production and the latter with the chance inherent in nature."
This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Central Washington University.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Ball-Nogues Studio is a Los Angeles-based design firm that creates public art installations characterized by the intersection of fine art, architecture, and industrial design. The firm is led by artists Benjamin Ball and Gaston Nogues.
To view more of CWU's artwork, you can visit https://www.arts.wa.gov/artwork