Did you notice something different on University Avenue? It’s quite hard to miss. Standing at three storeys tall, the concrete sculpture “Untitled” has appeared on the northern side of the Research School of Chemistry buildings 137 and 138, in the alcove between the two.

Designed by the distinguished Australian sculptor Lenton Parr, the sculpture was originally installed in 1962 on the eastern end of the now-demolished Department of Chemistry building. It depicts imagery inspired by crystal formation and X-Ray diffraction, subjects that were of special interest to the School of Chemistry at the time. It was taken apart to be moved, and reconstructed piece by piece using heavy lifting equipment.

Removal of the Parr sculpture from the old building. Source: Elmars Krausz

Parr sculpture being installed outside the new RSC building. Source: John Carver

Parr sculpture being installed outside the new RSC building. Source: Elmars Krausz

The work is part of the ANU Sculpture Walk, where it is described as creating an effect “of an aerodynamically streamlined axis spinning in three dimensions”.

Make sure to look out—and up!—for the scultpture next time you’re on University Avenue.