Community Spheres by Robert R. Norman

A sphere is multidimensional, visually illustrating the singularity of individual points interconnected through lines arcing infinitely towards each other.  Illumination of a sphere invokes a feeling of wonder akin to gazing at the night sky.  Rotate an illuminated sphere, and you will create countless light bodies, dancing in a frenetic pattern on every surface around the sphere.  The interaction between a sphere and its environment is total.  In these ways, a sphere is a perfect representation of society and the individual, as well as the multifaceted relationship between the two.

Robert R. Norman’s spherical sculptures – Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Sphere and Sphere XOX – begin with the powerful mission of bringing together communities through participating in a public work of art.  Inspired by the grandiose illuminated sculptures of Burning Man, Robert uses ultraviolet and LED lights to create works that transform at night, capturing a new dimension of the observer’s imagination.  The spheres are constructed from sticks, a material frequently overlooked but integral to Robert’s vision of designing art that benefits the environment.

Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Community Sphere

The Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Sphere began as an idea sparked through Robert’s collaborative work with The Creative Energy Project (CEP).  Robert and CEP Director Jeremy Mason McGraw gathered the sponsorships and community support that were vital to the completed work.  The installation of the sculpture in downtown Eureka Springs was celebrated at Sphere Ultraviolet, a gathering of over a thousand people organized by the CEP in Basin Spring Park on May 11, 2013.  Shining brilliantly from the heart of historic district, the sculpture was a featured attraction for Eureka Springs’ 26th annual May Festival of the Arts, a month-long celebration of art, artists, and our community.  It was donated to the Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation Commission for permanent installation in one of the city’s parks.

 Click here to read more about The Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Sphere.

Sphere XOX

Sphere XOX is a sculpture built for Crystal Bridges American Museum of Art during their College Day events on September 21, 2013.  The spherical core of the work was made from sticks gathered on the museum ground that were decorated by guests of the museum. The finished sculpture was on display at Crystal Bridges near Buckyball from September 21-29, 2013.  


Click here to read more about Sphere XOX.

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