With "Fragments," artist Carl Reed set out to connect the worlds of art and science by comparing similarities in their way of seeing. Reed uses binoculars and eyeglasses as central sculptural forms. The binoculars represent shrewd inspection, with artists and scientists noticing minute details that others overlook. The binoculars themselves function as viewing tubes. Distant vision is suggested by the eyeglasses. Each element is represented separately and placed on opposite sides of the building to symbolize the necessity of using fragmentary evidence to understand an entire question in research. Stone fragments support the binoculars and act as markers along paths near the building. The stones are inscribed with words in a fragmentary manner. For example, the word "extinction" is repeated, but each time it grows increasingly fragmented until it literally disappears and takes on its meaning, becoming extinct. In addition, junipers and ornamental grass are planted around the sculptures to integrate them further into their environment. The sculptures are steel and the surrounding bases are concrete. 2002. Museum Collections Building, University of Colorado Boulder.
