Barbed wire reimagined—Richard Swanson’s Radio transforms a harsh, industrial material into a mesmerizing dance of balance and movement. Suspended in midair, twelve shimmering spheres create an unexpected sense of rhythm and weightlessness, inviting viewers to experience art in a whole new way.
Richard Swanson’s Radio is a mesmerizing exploration of balance, movement, and material. Twelve shimmering barbed wire spheres, each a foot in diameter, hover in a delicate yet powerful formation, suspended from the ceiling. Arranged in a five-foot-wide ring, these unlikely elements—sharp, rigid, and industrial—seem almost weightless, redefining the relationship between tension and harmony.
Swanson is a Montana-based artist known for his innovative use of materials and exploration of movement, balance, and form. With a background in sculpture and ceramics, he transforms everyday materials—like barbed wire in Radio—into dynamic, rhythmic installations that invite viewers to experience space in new and unexpected ways. His work blurs the line between fragility and strength, creating environments that feel both weightless and full of energy.
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How to visit: See exhibit Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Exhibit is included with the cost of museum admission
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