Neon Ice Project

1978-79

The Neon Ice Project was a temporary ecological structure spanning the Iowa River, opposite the Museum of Fine Arts during the winter of ‘78/’79 while Dante Leonelli was visiting professor of Art at the University of Iowa.

In contrast to the permanence of the Museum of Art, the ‘bridge’ responded to the changing meteorological conditions of its environment.

Consisting of cast-ice columns and clear glass tubes containing argon gas, the ‘bridge’ was built over the frozen river. In Spring when the ice thawed, the work melted back into the river, leaving no trace.