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Notes

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A large circular fountain bowl set in a circular paved area with four radiating arms. In the centre of the bowl stands a large sphere that, with the action of water, moves up and down a central shaft. The sphere fills with water pushing it down the shaft. When the weight of water reaches six tons, the water is released at force into the bowl. On the ends of each of the radiating arms is a smaller bowl with smaller spheres that revolve with the action of circulating water. The exterior wall of the large bowl is thickly planted with a variety of flowers. The fountain, which was dismantled by the council in 2016, was generally better known as 'The Rising Universe' or occasionally the 'Shelley Fountain' in reference to Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem 'Mont Blanc', from which the sculptor drew her inspiration.

Title

Cosmic Cycle (The Rising Universe)

Date

1996

Medium

polished concrete & steel

Measurements

H 854 x W 1372 x D 1372 cm

Accession number

RH12_AM_S001

Acquisition method

commissioned by Horsham District Council

Work type

Water fountain, trough or pump

Owner

Horsham District Council

Custodian

Horsham District Council

Work status

not sited

Unveiling date

13th November 1996

Access

not accessible

Inscription description

bronze, inscribed plaque on top of the bowl on southeast side: ''COSMIC CYCLE'' / WATER IS SHELLEY'S ELEMENT. IT FLOWS THROUGH HIS POETRY. IT DRAWS HIM / TO ITSELF. TRAGICALLY, IN THE MEDITERRANEAN ACCIDENT WHICH ENDS HIS LIFE IN WATER / THE SOURCE OF LIFE ON THIS PLANET, THERE IS ALSO DEATH / IN MY SCULPTURE, A NEW, COSMIC SHAPE, LIKE LIFE ITSELF, EMERGES FROM ITS SHELL. / WATER ANIMATES IT. BY SHEER WEIGHT (EVENTUALLY 6 TONS) IT PRESSES THE FORM DOWN AGAIN / UNITL, WITH A MIGHTY BREAKING OF WATERS IT IS FREE TO RISE AND BEGIN AGAIN. SHELLEY, / HORSHAM'S POET OF LIBERTY KNEW THAT THERE IS A CYCLE TO ALL THINGS, LINKING ATOM AND / COSMOS IN ONE RECURRING PATTERN / ANGELA CONNER

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