Birmingham Prime Matter

The Birmingham Prime Matter is a large kinetic sculpture located in front of the McWane Science Center. It was designed by California-based artist Eric Orr as a part of a series of similar structures as an exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Works from this series are located in Colorado, Sweden, Japan, and Tennessee. This particular sculpture consists of a 30-foot-tall triangular copper pylon which sits on an 8-foot-tall granite plinth. Water falls down the textured surfaces of the copper and granite. At intervals a natural gas flame moves up the pylon, emitting steam. This represents the four elements of natural science – air, water, fire, and earth.