Ad Astra rides on Donahue trailer
By MATT NEWHOUSE
News editor
After 14 years, "Ad Astra," a bronze sculpture measuring 22 feet, two inches tall, was assembled.
There was just one problem: How to get it to Topeka.
"I wasn't sure my trailer was going to be strong enough," said Richard Bergen, sculptor. "So I asked around and a couple of people told me to call Jim."
Donahue Corporation is in the business to make and sell trailers, not lend them free of charge.
But owner Jim Donahue agreed, even supplying the 30-day tag for the new, 24-foot-long trailer.
"I was glad to do it," he said. "It's a chance to play a small part in this effort."
The sculpture was strapped to the trailer throughout its recent tour of the state. Bergen brought the work to Durham on Thursday as a way to thank Donahue for his help.
"This has been a great help to us, and it's a lot better than hauling it around on my ugly old trailer," Bergen said.
"It's fitting that this work is here, right near the Santa Fe Trail," Jim Donahue said. "He looks more at home here than he will in Topeka."
The sculpture was to be bolted to the Capitol on Monday, but it was removed when some of the bolts didn't tighten adequately. It was scheduled for installation on Tuesday.
Since it was raining Thursday, employees cleared space in the plant for the sculpture to be brought inside. But from elbow to arrowhead, the work was just a bit too long.
Tim Donahue climbed on the trailer with a broom and pushed the door up just enough for the arrowpoint to pass underneath.
Not that the bronze arrowhead with stainless steel supports would have been damaged.
"We've taken out a couple of trees with that arrow," Bergen said.
The sculpture features an American Indian of the Kansa tribe. Bergen did extensive research to include an authentic headdress, loincloth, and bow and arrow.
On the dome, the arrow points to the North Star. "Ad Astra" refers to a Latin phrase from the state motto, "To the Stars Through Difficulties."
The massive sculpture is composed of 95 percent copper, four percent silica, and one percent manganese.
Each part — about 200 in all — was assembled on a stainless steel frame and further affixed with stainless steel angle iron. The parts were welded together to form a seamless work.
"It has the durability to last 8,000 or 10,000 years, and maybe longer," he said. "No one knows how long bronze can last."
Original estimates were that the work would weigh 10,000 pounds, Bergen said, but its actual weight is 4,420 pounds.
The green patina is artificial. As it wears off, the bronze will develop a natural protective patina that will reflect the substances in the air around it, Bergen said.
"It may turn brown or red, but we hope it turns green," he said.
Many people noted the handwriting inside the base. Bergen discouraged anyone from writing inside other than the foundry workers who cast it, but the base was filled with names.
Bergen said he wanted the statue in place while Gov. Bill Graves was still in office. Graves has been a steadfast supporter of the project.
The headdress might become a bird's nest, but Bergen said he hopes "for a bald eagle in there." He's only kidding a little; office buildings in Topeka have occasionally served as nesting sites for peregrine falcons. "We'll probably end up with a pigeon," he said.
The 14-year odyssey has required Bergen to be publicity director, fundraiser, and politician. Various items, from $4,000 bronze sculptures to $125 memorial bricks, are sold to help pay the cost for materials and labor.
The artist's share is supposed to be $100,000, but Bergen hasn't made money yet. And even if it happens, his son, Rich, points out, "my father and I have worked on this for 14 years, so that $100,000 works out to about $3,000 a year."
Bergen isn't too upset. He's gotten a great deal of publicity from the project which has brought in other work.
"I'm now the most recognized artist in Kansas, so what's that worth?" he asked.
Bergen said Donahue isn't getting near the publicity that he might have.
"Jim thinks the trailer's going up on the dome, strapped to the Indian's back," he said with a smile.
The trailer will be returned to the Donahue lot. There are no special plans for it, though Donahue joked that "we might have to fix a bronze plaque to it."
Anyone wanting to contribute to the project can contact the Ad Astra Project at PO Box 1192, Salina KS 67402-1192.
