Bloomington resident Dale Enochs was one of two artists chosen to design a sculpture for Indiana's Bicentennial.
The sculpture, titled "Living Time Capsule," will be an open, ring-shaped design that will be installed in the Indiana Bicentennial Plaza in Indianapolis in July.
Once completed, the sculpture will be 22 feet tall. The base will be made out of Indiana limestone specifically quarried for the project, and the ring will be made of stainless stainless steel and will be a mirrored surface.
"A ring in and of itself is symbolic of unity, of wholeness, of coming together," Enochs says. "But this is not only a ring, it's also an arch, an arch where one can walk through. An arch is indicative of going from one place to another, from going to the known to the unknown. At the center point in an arch is the here and now. I found this as being a means to symbolically talk about a time capsule when we're dealing with time."
Below the sculpture, there will be serpentine-shaped paving that goes through the center of the arch.
"That is really symbolic of the flow of a river, which is often used as a metaphor for time," Enochs says. "A river is always moving, but never the same from one point to the next, just as time is. "
Enochs, a lifelong Hoosier who grew up in Fort Wayne before moving to Bloomington, says he is honored to be selected for the project.
"I have been honored by doing this and it is special," Enochs says. "This is my home state. I know the state well. I am part of the people of Indiana. I know what Hoosiers are about. I am a Hoosier. So I am hoping that this will speak of not only the landscape of Indiana, but the waterways, the lifeblood, and the people of Indiana."
The creation of the sculpture will be a partnership between Enochs and Tom Fansler, CEO of Smock Fansler, a construction company in Indianapolis.
Enochs designed the piece and is doing the limestone work, while the making of the stainless steel ring will be done by Fansler.
Other sculptures Enochs has made for public display include an oversized set of a table and chairs at the Bloomington Farmer's Market and a limestone sculpture outside the governor's residence in Indianapolis.