Field of Corn facts for kids
Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees) is a unique outdoor art display in Dublin, Ohio. It features 109 large concrete ears of corn standing in a field. This special artwork was created to honor the area's farming history. It also pays tribute to a local farmer who invented new types of corn.
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What is the Field of Corn?
This art project is a type of public art. It means it's a large artwork placed in a specific outdoor space. The "Field of Corn" has 109 concrete corn ears. They are arranged in neat rows, just like real corn plants. Each ear stands about 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. At one end of the field, you'll see two rows of Osage-orange trees. One row was already there, and the other was planted for the project.
The Story Behind the Art
The "Field of Corn" was finished in 1994. It was designed by sculptor Malcolm Cochran. Stephen Drown and James Hiss helped with the landscaping. The Dublin Arts Council asked for this artwork to be made. The land where the art stands is called Sam and Eulalia Frantz Park. This park was once a farm owned by Sam Frantz. He was an inventor who created several hybrid corn species. Hybrid corn is a mix of two different types of corn. The art display honors Sam Frantz and reminds everyone of Dublin's farming past. Signs near the Osage orange trees explain the project and how hybrid corn is made.
Making the Concrete Corn
The concrete ears of corn were made using three different molds. This makes each ear look a little different. The corn shown is a type called Dent Corn. It's a special double-cross hybrid variety. The ears are turned in various directions to make them appear unique. They were cast at a company called Cook & Ingle Co. in Dalton, Georgia. Each concrete ear is very heavy, weighing about 1,500 pounds (680 kg).
Why is it Popular?
The "Field of Corn" has become a very popular piece of art. Many people in Central Ohio enjoy visiting it. Readers of Columbus Monthly magazine have voted it "Best of Columbus" many times since 2008. It has even won four first-place awards as the best public artwork in the area.
