Asteriskos - San Antonio, TX - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The Siris webpage (link below) does not provide a description or a photograph, but does reference a 1980 catalogue published by Trinity University Press. "Asteriskos" is a large black-painted steel geometric sculpture consisting of four roughly 6 ft by 4 ft x 2 ft wide boxes interlocked around and halfway up main 4 ft x 2 ft x 16 ft high box. Two of the interlocking boxes are on opposite side and horizonal, while the other two are vertical on opposite sides of the main support.

There is an idenfication plate which reads:
Tony Smith
American, 1912-1980
Asteriskos 1968
Painted steel
Gift of the Catto Foundation in honor of Pettus Hobby
1970.18

Asteriskos is part of the McNay Art Museum collection. The sculpture is located south of the old main museum and east of the ponds. The grounds are open to the public during DST 7am–7pm and CST 7am–6pm.

Researching for a waymark can be very interesting. In this case, the question is "How could a three ton sculpture go missing, disappearing from the 1968 World Fair's site?" A local DJ on his blog reveals the story of how city workers - not realizing that it was abstract art - cut up the piece to create tool boxes and ice chests for afterwork beer parties at the Zarzmora Public Works Yard. The The Catto family generously had a replica created and donated to the McNay Art Museum.

....Yes, the benefit of the arts is in the eye of the beholder. Researchin

TITLE: Asteriskos ARTIST(S): Tony Smith DATE: 1968 MEDIUM: Black-painted steel CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 75008216 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum 6000 North New Braunfels San Antonio, Texas 78209 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: Further information provided in this waymark would be useful for the SAI.

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