Frequently Asked Questions

• At what time will the sculpture be illuminated?

  The lighting will be turned on daily at sunset and will be switched off at a time determined based on resident input.

• How large is Current?

  Current is 126 feet tall, 83 feet wide and 229 feet long. Just 71 feet short of a football field, it’s the longest public artwork in Columbus. It weighs 714 pounds and is composed of 512,460 total knots made from 78.5 miles of twine.

• What materials were used to create Current? 

  The primary material used is an engineered fiber that is 15 times stronger than steel by weight, allowing the artwork to be flexible yet withstand hurricane force winds. Additional elements used include colored LED lighting and architectural attachments. 

• How is the sculpture made?

  Echelman leads a design team that spans the globe and includes aeronautical and mechanical engineers, lighting designers, computer scientists, landscape architects and fabricators. Her studio designs projects according to the climate and intended lifespan for each site and context to ensure the longevity of the piece. 

• Where will it be installed?

  Suspended in the air above Gay and High, the intersection of arts and culture in Columbus, Current will be a grand bookend for the burgeoning Gay Street District. Anchored to the east by the Columbus Museum of Art and Columbus College for Art and Design, its location is intended to be inclusive and accessible, directly above a space we all share: the street.

• What is Current’s tie to Columbus?

  Rooted in Columbus’ history, The title Current holds dual meaning, alluding to both river current and electric current of the iconic lighted archways, visualizing a flow of energy. Echelman’s colors transition gradually from red to blue, leading visitors from the red bricks of the city’s earliest buildings to its vibrant riverfront park. Inspired by the lighted archways that once traversed High Street, the structure will be oriented east to west, connecting the city’s urban street grid with its river waterfront.

• Will birds or wildlife get caught in the net?

  A concern for wildlife safety is integral to Janet Echelman’s design and planning process. No bird or creature has ever been harmed in Janet’s works, of which she has more than 50 around the world. Studio Echelman consulted with a bio-engineering firm which determined that the qualities of Echelman’s pieces make them safe for birds and wildlife. The net openings are similar to naturally occurring vines and thickets often found in forests, and birds are well adapted to avoid these. 

• Will this artwork impact traffic and street safety?

  The safety of drivers and pedestrians was of the utmost concern when planning for this artwork and was evaluated by the City of Columbus prior to approval by the Downtown Commission. While Current will be a striking visual focal point for the City, the artwork will be seamlessly integrated into the skyline.

• Why was Janet Echelman commissioned to create this artwork? 

  Janet Echelman is a world-renowned artist with a track record of creating distinct artworks at a colossal scale to create a unique sense of place. No stranger to Columbus, the artist was inspired by the city’s history and sense of cooperation known as the Columbus Way.
  As Current becomes embedded into the fabric of downtown, it will serve as a starting point for engaging a diverse intersection of our community. To achieve this, a working group of people has been created with varying backgrounds who will help further define, program and activate a growing arts and culture district downtown.
  Janet Echelman has created more than 50 installations that have become focal points for urban life on five continents, from Singapore, Sydney, Shanghai and Santiago to New York and London. Her permanent art commissions draw millions of annual visitors in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, British Columbia (Canada) and Oporto (Portugal).

• How is this piece being funded?

  Through an unprecedented level of philanthropy to the public art space in the Columbus community, Jeffrey W. Edwards, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Installed Building Products, as well as president of Edwards Companies, has fully funded the creation of Current. Edwards’ investment has covered the costs for design, fabrication, installation and engineering to support this soaring sculpture. He has donated the piece to be a part of the Columbus Museum of Art’s permanent collection, and also funded maintenance, deinstallation and reinstallation annually.
  No public tax dollars were used.

• Is this a seasonal installation?

  Janet Echelman designed the work for Columbus to be seasonal with a period of hibernation each winter when the work is deinstalled to avoid ice accumulation, followed by a celebration ritual each spring when it is reinstalled. “As an artist, I follow nature. And I hope the winter functions like the absence of a lover, giving us a chance to experience it anew each spring,” Echelman noted.

• Who is taking ongoing care and maintenance of the sculpture? 

  With funding provided by Jeffery W. Edwards, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Installed Building Products, as well as president of Edwards Companies, the Columbus Museum of Art will oversee the care and maintenance of the sculpture as part of its permanent collection, ensuring it will continue to inspire wonder far into the future.

• How is this part of an ongoing public art strategy for Columbus?  

  The creation and installation of public art in Columbus is surging, a pace that will only accelerate as the Greater Columbus Arts Council kicks off a strategic public art plan for the City of Columbus.
  Current joins a growing collection of electric, thought-provoking pieces scattered around Columbus. Just in Downtown, new opportunities have been created for local artists to add culture and vibrancy in the public realm including mural Grow Beyond the Fabric by Mandi Caskey, a temporary work by April Sunami on the Lazarus Building, 13 Art Spot windows and three new murals on The Peninsula garages.