Shang (sculpture) facts for kids
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Shang is a large artwork created by the artist Mark di Suvero. It used to be located at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This special sculpture is called a kinetic sculpture because it can move. It has an abstract shape, meaning it doesn't look like a real object or person.
Shang was placed on the sidewalk next to the museum. In October 2020, the sculpture was taken down. This happened because it was on loan to the museum for a long time, and then someone bought it for their own art collection.
About the Sculpture
Shang is a very tall and wide sculpture made of steel. It stands 25 feet (about 7.6 meters) high. It is also 19 feet (about 5.8 meters) wide and 7 feet, 8 inches (about 2.3 meters) deep.
One cool thing about Shang is that it's also a working swing! Visitors were allowed to climb on it and swing.
In 2005, a writer named Grace Glueck described Shang as a "solemn" and "symmetrical" piece. She noted that it stood on two strong legs with an arch. This arch supported a tall, vertical beam. She also said it made an "imposing gateway."
History of Shang
Mark di Suvero created the Shang sculpture between 1984 and 1985. When he first made it, he called it Gateway.
The sculpture was loaned to the University of Michigan Museum of Art in 2008. This was a long-term loan, meaning the museum borrowed it for many years. Before coming to UMMA, Shang was shown at the Storm King Art Center. In 2007, it was briefly displayed in Millennium Park in Chicago. It was shown there with another di Suvero sculpture called Orion and three other works by the artist.
