See the first 19 Stuart Collection pieces at tritonmag . com / stuart
20
What Hath God Wrought
Its presence is highly conspicuous , yet its message is revealed only
U
to the most observant passerby . Perched atop a 195-foot pole , a lamp silently blinks through short and fast pulses , continually transmitting the first-ever message sent by electric telegraph : “ What hath God wrought ?” The historic 1844 transmission from Samuel Morse to Alfred Vail marked an important turning point in how the world communicates .
The work ’ s artist , Mark Bradford , challenges the viewer to look back and forward with a renewed perspective . The luminaire that sits atop the steel column harkens to a time long past , but one that is inextricably tied to our dependence and desire for instant communication through texts , emails and tweets . The ironic question is , how many will tear their gaze away from their phones long enough to notice the message ?
A prominent painter , Bradford chose to have his first permanent public sculpture installed in Revelle Plaza only after discovering a historic plaque marking the spot where university founders broke ground in 1961 . “ When Mark saw that plaque , he knew instantly that was where the piece should go ,” says Stuart Collection Director Mary Beebe . “ It was the start of the university , and the start of communication as we know it . It just seemed meant to be .”
195 Ft .
� What Hath God
Wrought , the 20th piece of the Stuart Collection , is now the tallest structure at the university . ( Tim Hawkinson ’ s 23 ' 6 "
Bear shown below for scale .)
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