Client: Michigan State University
Location: Lansing, MI, United States
Completion date: 2017
Artwork budget: $20,000
Project Team
Artist
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett Associates
Artist
Brian Owens
Overview
A seven foot tall sculpture based on the “scales of justice”, utilizing various types of metals by sculptors Brian R. Owens and Richard Bennett, Commissioned by MSU with private funds, installed in the Law College Building on the 4th floor across from the Cliff & Carolyn Haley Moot Courtroom.
Process
Bennett came up with the concept of representing The People and The State on what are normally empty scales and inclining it in favor of The People. I sculpted everything on the scales and Bennett built everything else. Bennett worked in Detroit and I worked in Florida until the parts were assembled at Bennett's studio. Professor Emeritus of Law, Edward J. Littlejohn donated funds to MSU to pay for the sculpture in full.
Additional Information
"The People live in an entertainment-based culture, at the center of an arms race for their attention, fragmented, connected by unfolding technologies and yet grounded by a belief in their constitution." - Brian R. Owens. This sculpture was featured on the front page of the April 2018 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal.