It's how big? What you need to know about Columbus' longest piece of public art

Jordan Laird, The Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read

Why have miles of red and blue twine been hung up over the intersection of North High and Gay streets?

It’s the newest and largest piece of public art in Columbus.

Columbus officials hope that "Current," the 229-foot-long cloudlike sculpture, will attract tourists like the Cloud Gate sculpture (commonly called The Bean) in Chicago.

Here’s what you need to know:

Traffic was blocked Saturday at the intersection of North High and Gay streets in downtown Columbus for the day-long installation of "Current," a nylon sculpture by Janet Echelman. Made of 78 miles of red and blue twine and more than 500,000 knots, the sculpture is 229 feet long and hangs 35 to 126 feet off the ground. It is the largest piece of public art in Columbus.

'Current' sculpture comprises 78 miles of twine, over 500,000 knots

The sculpture, by artist Janet Echelman, is made of nylon fabric that does not snag birds and will be suspended by cables from nearby buildings, according to the Columbus Museum of Art.

At its highest point, the sculpture will be 126 feet above the ground, and at its lowest point, it will hang about 35 feet above the ground.

Made of 78 miles of red and blue twine and more than 500,000 knots, the billowy wisp will be visible from airplanes and illuminated at night.

Echelman has said the title, “Current,” alludes both to the current of the nearby Scioto River and electrical currents. Columbus was historically known for its street arches illuminated by gas lighting.

Echelman has hung similar sculptures over cities around the world, including Singapore, Sydney, Shanghai, Montreal, New York and London. However, this is her first piece suspended over a street.

More art news: 8 highlights of the 2023 Columbus Arts Festival, June 9-11

"Current," a blue and red cloudlike sculpture by artist Janet Echelman, was installed Saturday above North HIgh and Gay streets in downtown Columbus.
"Current," a blue and red cloudlike sculpture by artist Janet Echelman, was installed Saturday above North HIgh and Gay streets in downtown Columbus.

Who is paying for it?

Developer Jeff Edwards, president and CEO of the Edwards Cos., proposed the sculpture and is paying an undisclosed amount for it. It’s the largest private contribution to public art in the history of Columbus, according to the Columbus Museum of Art.

The museum will maintain the sculpture as part of its permanent collection.

Traffic was blocked Saturday at the intersection of North High and Gay streets in downtown Columbus for the day-long installation of "Current," a nylon sculpture by artist Janet Echelman.
Traffic was blocked Saturday at the intersection of North High and Gay streets in downtown Columbus for the day-long installation of "Current," a nylon sculpture by artist Janet Echelman.

Is it permanent?

The sculpture is permanent, but will be removed in the winter to avoid ice accumulation.

“Current will be an iconic part of the Columbus skyline,” Columbus Museum of Art board President Pete Scantland said previously in a release.

Mayor Andrew Ginther said that “it’s going to be a defining image for our Downtown and put Columbus on the map as a community that cares about — and invests in — transformational public art.”

Celebrate the sculpture at kick-off of Columbus Arts Festival

The Columbus Museum of Art and city leaders are inviting the community to celebrate the sculpture at 11 a.m. June 9 before heading over to the Columbus Arts Festival on the Downtown riverfront.

The event will include a performance by the Harmony Project, a local singing group.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'Current' sculpture installed above High Street in downtown Columbus