Artworks of McWane Science Center

Birmingham Prime Matter

This sculpture honoring Joseph S. Bruno is the work of pioneering artist Eric Orr (1939-1998) of Venice, California.  Mr. Orr was part of a group of experimental artists working in California during the late 60s and 70s knowing for creating “light and space” art.  His sculptures incorporate the basic elements of water and fire to produce an impressive work of art.  Birmingham Prime Matter greets guests at McWane Science Center with displays of water, steam and even flames.  A foundation for the science inside the museum, the sculpture asks viewers to look back at a time when science
was founded on four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. 

Vulcan’s Dream Machine

As you step into McWane Science Center, you’re greeted by the mesmerizing Vulcan’s Dream Machine, created by audiokinetic artist George Rhoads of Ithaca, New York. A wonder of sound, color, and movement, this intricate contraption is a great example of a compound machine.  Made of many simple devices like levers, inclined planes, wedges, pulleys, screws, wheels, and axles, Vulcan’s Dream Machine vividly illustrates the power of an object in motion.  Once the balls are deposited at their starting point, the machine requires only one source of energy – gravity!  Dozens of scientific concepts are illustrated in this machine such as potential and kinetic energy, transfers of momentum, energy changing forms, acceleration, projectile motion, inertia, friction, oxidation, and more!  

Duo Decimal Dance

Let yourself be mesmerized by mathematics.  The Duo Decimal Dance occupies an enormous section off wall in the Grand Lobby and spans two stories.  This kinetic, or moving, sculpture is based on the number twelve.  Notice that each wheel has 12 red dots that create patterns as the wheel turns and merge into groups of 3, 4, or 6.  Small black fans triggered at random provide the airflow that rotates the wheels.  The red dots are actually pendulums that swing freely from the spokes of the wheels.  Tim Prentice, a kinetic artist in West Cornwall, Connecticut, created the Duo Decimal Dance.