Gracehoper

"Gracehoper" is a striking public sculpture by American artist Tony Smith, prominently displayed in Louisville Waterfront Park, Kentucky. This imposing piece stands 22 feet tall and extends 46 feet long. It was fabricated by Lippincott, Inc. in 1988, eight years after Smith's passing, and cost a million dollars to create. Crafted from welded steel and painted black, the sculpture is both bold and captivating.

The name "Gracehoper" originates from a line in James Joyce's novel "Finnegans Wake" and takes inspiration from the funnel-like shape of coal hoppers. Smith's concept for the artwork is rooted in an intricate, invisible lattice of alternating tetrahedrons and octahedrons. There are three editions of "Gracehoper"; the first is located at the Detroit Institute of Arts, while the original cardboard model dates back to 1961.

Dedicated in 1989 as a generous gift from the Humana Foundation, the sculpture is situated near the Ohio River in the "Overlook" area of Louisville Waterfront Park. The last survey of "Gracehoper" in 1994 found it to be in excellent condition. This September, a symposium will take place to discuss public art in Louisville, with a special focus on the current state and conservation efforts for "Gracehoper."