Iowa State’s campus features art from world renowned artists, including “The Moth” by Mac Adams.

Located in front of Coover Hall, the sculpture was designed and built by Adams.

His work is seen around the globe. Although he has created many pieces in his life, “The Moth” is the only one he has done for Iowa State. Though familiar with his work, it wasn’t until recently that Iowa State contacted Adams to fashion a piece for campus.

“They’ve known about my work for years,” Adams said. “These things don’t just happen — they happen over time.”

The idea for “The Moth” came from the story about the moth that flew into the first computer’s hard drive and fried the circuits. It’s also how the computer bug got its name.

“As you know the first computer virus discovered was called the moth, thus it got termed the computer bug,” Adams said. “The moth is actually taped to a notebook in the Smithsonian.”

The moth itself influenced Mac’s piece.

“I find moths more complex than butterflies,” Adams said. “They fly at night and are attracted to light — they have a dark side that is very mysterious to me. This piece started a whole new train of think for me.”

Adam’s piece is composed of three individual parts that come together forming a moth in the center and is made from Auberry Blue Marble, sitting in the center of a brick and concrete sphere. Adams said he used this material because it’s durable.

“I used marble because it is one of the most permanent materials on the planet,” he said.

The marble was also used because of the texture and look it has.

“The grain of the marble resembles the pattern and the feel of a moth in the sky,” Adams said. “The sense of weight and stillness of the stone counteracts the delicate flight of the moth.”

Adam encourages everyone to take pictures of “The Moth” and send them to him for further use.

“I would like to put some form of documentation, such as a book or exhibition, together based on photographs taken by other people,” he said. “The work lends itself to multiple interpretations during the varying qualities of light even at the course of seasons and weather conditions.”

A look at Mac Adams:

Born: Brynmawr South Wales, Great Britain

Education: Cardiff College of Art, N.D.D. 1961-1966, A.T.D. 1966-1967., Rutgers University, Master of Fine Arts 1967-1969

Teaching: Professor, State University of New York at Old Westbury, 1988-present

In progress public commissions:

Two large scale mosaics, “The Pool” and “Climbing Wall.” Commissioned by New Jersey Cancer Research Center, Newark, N.J.

In Progress:

“Glass Tapestry” — 32 by 40 feet, handblown glass window. Commissioned by Rutgers School of Law-Camden, Camden, N.J.

—Source: www.macadamsstudio.com