Cardinalis

The 35-foot-tall red sculpture by John Van Alstine brings to mind Indiana's state bird, the Northern Cardinal. The piece's stylized, simple shape is similar to the bird in flight, a notion that is visually reinforced by its height. With a closer look, the piece reveals deeper connections with its location. For one, it is an actual aircraft wing–specifically, the wing of an F-14 fighter plane. Van Alstine liked the symbolism of turning the wing of a fighting machine into a work of art.

• Artist: John Van Alstine, Wells, New York
• Installation: 2008
• Materials: Steel, granite and titanium; 35 feet by 20 feet by 10 feet
• Fabricators: A.R.T. Research Enterprises, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Location: South Garden

"In this project, I was able to relate the work to Indiana's history, in paying homage to the early aviators from the area," said Van Alstine. In addition to its similarity to Indiana's state bird, the artist's use of an aircraft wing honors the work of aviation pioneers, including Orville and Wilbur Wright, both of whom were Midwesterners and occasional Indiana residents.