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Photography by Edward C. Robison III.

Big Red Lens

“The original and ultimate source of all energy on Earth is the Sun,” writes Fred Eversley. Fascinated by solar energy, Eversley experimented with the parabola––a U-shaped curve that concentrates light into a single point. In Big Red Lens, this phenomenon creates a “fish-eye” lens effect that distorts the image seen through the sculpture. With the precision of a scientist, Eversley used light and color to transform how we view our surrounding environment.

ArtistFred Eversley, 1941–2025
Date1985
MediumCast polyester
Dimensions40 x 40 x 6 in. (101.6 x 101.6 x 15.2 cm)
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2010.66
ClassificationSculpture
Provenancepurchased from the Artist by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2010
On ViewNo
Big Red Lens40 × 40 in.Tennis Ball2.7 in. diameter

This artwork's face covers about 219× the area of a tennis ball.Drawn to the same scale.