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Sculptural Benches – by Barry Hehemann

Over the span of 20 years from 1987 to 2007, Barry Hehemann has produced nine sculptural benches made of materials such as stone, concrete, steel, and stainless steel. These are examples of functional sculpture, and they encourage public to consider issues of comfort and stability as well the aesthetics of form.

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1987: Stone Bench – by Barry Hehemann
1992: Shaw’s Bench – by Barry Hehemann
1993: Arc Bench – by Barry Hehemann
1994: Sharp’s Bench – by Barry Hehema
1995: Bill’s Bench – by Barry Hehemann
1996: Throne for King – by Barry Hehemann
1996: Shark bench – by Barry Hehemann
2007: Bench 9 – by Barry Hehemann

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Equilibrium – by Barry Hehemann

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Everyone’s Everest

1999

Steel and granite / 11’4″ x 9′ x 11’H

Location: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois.

The title refers to the mountains that are made in everyday life. Consideration of our ‘Everest’ suggests folly, fantasy, and the absurdity of self reflexive endeavors. Texts have been laser-cut into the threads of the stair. Each word has been selected from texts referring to mountain climbing especially ascents to Mt. Everest, that has been transcendent experience for some, tragedies for others.
The words are: Beyond, Attempt, Yield, Doubt, Demand, Amusement, Condition, Fantasy, Interpret, Solace, Claim, Discovery, Beyond.

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Fourth of Firth of Forth

1998

Steel and cast concrete

18′ x 8’2″ x 13’6″ / 13,000 lbs.

Location: White River State Park, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Fourth of Firth of Forth – The name is derived from the Forth Bridge across the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. it is constructed to suggest the double-cantilevered bridge characterized by its massive size and peculiarity of line. The sculpture weighs approximately 13,000 pounds with metal supports almost fourteen feet in height. The suspended curved concrete element seems to be drawn and twisted in tension between the supporting structures, making an oblique reference to a self-reflexive crossing between opposite parts. The title involves a series of word plays. ‘Fourth’ refers to one-fourth of the bridge from which the major forms are generated. A ‘Firth’ is a Scottish term meaning a narrow inlet of the sea. The sculpture alludes to a crossing as in the crossing of water.

In year 2000, Hehemann made “2nd 4th,” to complements the “Fourth of Firth of Forth.”

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2nd 4th
2000 / Steel and cast concrete
20′ x 8’2″ x 13’6″ / 11,000 lbs.
Location: High Lake Sculpture Garden, West Chicago, Illinois.