NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Atop one of the highest points in the Nashville area, a spiral sculpture of stone is taking shape that will combine art and science in an innovative approach to making science compelling, especially to students.
Internationally renowned land artist Chris Drury has designed and is working with volunteers, including Vanderbilt students, to create “The Star Chamber” on the grounds of Vanderbilt University‘s Dyer Observatory on a 1,131-foot hill six miles south of campus. The domed structure is being made of 150 tons of native limestone and will have an aperture in the top that will allow images from the sky to be reflected onto white-washed walls on the interior. The chamber will be in the center of a galaxy-like formation.
On Oct. 29, the structure will be unveiled in conjunction with a free public Music on the Mountain event that will feature classical music. The Eclectic Chamber Players will perform starting at 3 p.m., with tours of “The Star Chamber” and the Dyer Observatory to follow.
“I think this is going to be quite groundbreaking for Nashville,” said Joseph Mella, director of the Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery, which along with Dyer commissioned the work. “This was an opportunity to bring a world-class piece of sculpture to Vanderbilt and develop it in tandem with the unique space we have in Dyer. … It will fit right in at Dyer.”
The sculpture will nestle among oak, black walnut and hickory trees on the secluded southern point of the observatory grounds. It will have two openings — one that will sit atop the dome and will be opened for viewing the night sky and another, smaller opening that will function like a camera‘s aperture. It will reflect the images of the clouds and treetops off the white dish-shaped plaster walls onto the ground. An image of the sun will also project inside, allowing visitors to watch the movement of the sun throughout the seasons. Over the course of a year, the sun‘s path will trace a figure eight form known as an analema. Additionally, large stones will align with the horizon to mark the solstices and equinoxes and other solar events.
The setting of the lenses, the marking of the analema and the outside stone alignments will be a work in progress that will be refined and adjusted over the next two years.
The approximately 150 tons of limestone for the sculpture were removed from the land on which Vanderbilt is constructing The Commons, a residential complex for first-year students.
“Dyer Observatory‘s mission is to interest the public — especially students — in science,” Executive Director Rick Chappell said. “Having The Star Chamber at the observatory will allow us to use a beautiful sculpture to teach science. We see the processes that scientists and artists employ as being similar. The creativity that we naturally connect with artists is there in explorers and scientists, too; it‘s just accomplished in a different way.”
Drury said both the location and the form of the sculpture attracted him. “The site is wonderful and the Star Chamber is an exciting idea to me. Lately I‘ve been working on the vortex pattern of the human heart and that pattern is actually the very same as the form of galaxies. This project gives me an exciting opportunity to link that form to the microcosm.”
Drury is a British artist who has spent the past 25 years creating large-scale outdoor works that employ natural materials and are designed to fit into the landscape. His works can be found in Europe, Japan and the United States.
Visitors for the grand opening are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic basket to enjoy while listening to the music. Parking will be provided at the Bethel World Outreach Church on the corner of Old Hickory Boulevard and Granny White Pike in Brentwood. Shuttle service begins at 2 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come early as attendance will be limited, and time will be needed to park and ride the shuttle to the mountaintop.
Dedicated in 1953, Dyer Observatory for years was used by research faculty and students of Vanderbilt‘s Department of Astronomy. It now serves as a community resource for the teaching of science as well as a venue for public, private and corporate events. Each year Dyer hosts thousands of visitors through school tours, observations nights, scout events and other community programs, such as Music on the Mountain.
The observatory is located at 1000 Oman Drive, off Granny White Pike between Old Hickory Boulevard and Otter Creek Road, near Radnor Lake. A map with information and directions is available at www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu/directions.htm.
For more information or in the event of uncertain weather, call Dyer Observatory at 615-373-4897.
Media contact: Elizabeth Latt, 615-322-NEWS
Elizabeth.p.latt@vanderbilt.edu