A suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick at MIT's McGovern Institute.
June 28, 2016 -- The opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
A suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick at MIT's McGovern Institute.
June 28, 2016 -- The opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
There’s a new focal point at the McGovern Institute and it’s called Schwerpunkt. From the German word meaning “main focus” or “focal point,” Schwerpunkt is a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick.
Anamorphosisis a distorted image that becomes recognizable only when viewed from a particular point. The word anamorphosis originates from the Greek words anamorphoun (to transform) and morphe (form, shape). Examples of anamorphic art date back to the early Renaissance, with Leonardo’s Eye (Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1485) being the first example of perspective anamorphosis in modern times.
In Schwerpunkt, one hundred gold neurons seemingly float at random above the McGovern Institute lobby and make a beautiful transformation at the focal point on the third floor atrium level. This sculpture is made possible by a gift from Hugo Shong in memory of Patrick J. McGovern.
Photos from the June 28 opening of Schwerpunkt may be viewed below.
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
Hugo Shong (left) and Ralph Helmick at the opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
MIT President Rafael Reif (left) and Hugo Shong at the opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
McGovern Institute director Bob Desimone welcomes guests at the opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
Hugo Shong (left) and Lore Harp McGovern at the opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
Hugo Shong at the opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
Artist Ralph Helmick at the opening of his suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture, Schwerpunkt, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
McGovern Institute director Bob Desimone (left) and MIT President Rafael Reif at the opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
June 28, 2016 — The opening and unveiling of Schwerpunkt, a suspended anamorphic neuron sculpture by Ralph Helmick, at MIT’s McGovern Institute. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham (www.caitlincunningham.com).
