It's the Mueller Carillon Tower and Richard Serra sculpture on the University of Nebraska campus. The sculpture is a recent addition, the tower's been there since 1949. The tower is a gift of Ralph Mueller, class of 1898, who made his fortune by inventing alligator clips. Mueller also donated the money for the planetarium in Morrill Hall.
Unlike most bell towers the Mueller tower doesn't have bells. Since Mueller was an electrical engineer the bells were actually metal rods of differing lengths that could be played via a keyboard or a device similar to a player piano. According to the Daily Nebraskan sounds from the carillon are now produced by "digital tapes" and broadcast via loudspeakers.
To design the tower the university had a competition between senior architecture students. Mueller was disappointed that none of the students designed the tower to look like a giant ear of corn. I have a feeling Mr. Mueller would have liked visiting the Field of Corn.
Nicely composed!
Posted by: Dane | 23 June 2010 at 01:38 AM
Thanks!
Posted by: Joe | 24 June 2010 at 11:09 PM