Iconic 'LOVE' statue to get new home at Indianapolis Museum of Art
One of the most iconic pieces of art in all of Indianapolis will get a little TLC and a new home at the Indianapolis Museum of Art's campus.
"LOVE," the giant sculpture that greets patrons on the museum's mall, will be temporarily taken off display in January for restoration, according to a news release from the IMA. Decades of outdoor display and exposure to the elements have caused corrosion on the COR-TEN steel sculpture, fabricated by Robert Indiana in 1970. It has also led to red and orange streaks on the surface of the artwork, as well as metal weakness, holes and splits. After assessment, the structural condition of "LOVE" was categorized as fair to poor.
During the restoration, conservators will focus on stabilizing the sculpture. It will be moved inside, thoroughly dried and disassembled. Conservators will work to shore up the internal structure, reduce corrosion and apply a more even finish.
When the work is finished, which is expected to be in the spring, the sculpture will be displayed in its new home in the Pulliam Family Great Hall. As Robert Indiana intended, "LOVE" will be displayed in the round, according to the release.
The Great Hall was chosen as its new display location due to the sculpture's size, according to museum spokeswoman Stephanie Perry. The artwork is tall and extremely heavy.
Since "LOVE" spent a year in the Great Hall from 2005 to 2006, the floor is already reinforced to carry the load.
The main lobby could have accommodated "LOVE" as well, but that location would have prevented the museum from displaying other rotating, large-scale contemporary installations in the space.
“We are incredibly privileged to have this iconic work as part of our IMA collection,” said Charles L. Venable, the IMA’s CEO. “As stewards of this important sculpture, which is significant to both our community and the art world, we are committed to preserving 'LOVE' so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The museum declined to release the cost of the conservation project, but it said a "significant gift" from the James LaCrosse family would pay for the majority of the project.
For more information on the conservation effort, click here.
Allison Carter is Facebook editor at IndyStar. Follow her on Twitter: @AllisonLCarter.
