In Philadelphia's Aviator Park, alongside The Franklin Institute, stands the Aero Memorial - a gilded bronze sculpture by Paul Manship. Commissioned by the Association for Public Art, the work was initiated by the Aero Club of Pennsylvania. After years of fundraising, the Art Association was able to contact Manship for the commission in 1939. The idea for a celestial sphere was approved in 1944, and the sculpture was completed in 1948. It was dedicated on June 1, 1950.
The sculpture features an open bronze sphere with intricate intertwined forms. The sphere is inscribed with the Latin names of constellations and planets.
Upon its base, the names of several individuals are etched, including Julian Biddle, Howard Foulke Day, On Downs, Jr, Christian Clanz, William Besse Koen, and Ton Woodward.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Leroy
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