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by Henry Moore 1974 |
Deere Administrative Center
John Deere Road
Moline, Illinois 61265
"Hill Arches" is placed on a small island in the reflecting pond before the Deere Administrative Center. When viewed from the island, the sculpture is massive. It weighs more than 8,800 pounds and is 18' in length and 12' high. However, when viewed from a distance, its open spaces give it a different feel. As its base is covered with grass, it appears to be free-floating.
It is the most organic of the large, abstract sculptures in the Quad Cities. Its gentle curves reflect its natural settings, rather than the straight lines of the Deere Administrative Center. The sculpture was created by Henry Moore, an internationally known artist.
In 1973, William Hewitt, Deere's Chairman of the Board, visited Moore at his home in Hertfordshire, England to commission the work. The sculpture was installed the following year.
"Hill Arches" was cast in bronze at the Noack Foundry in West Berlin. Prior to its delivery, a mold of the sculpture was created and placed in different sites until it was decided where it should be permanently located. It was lowered onto its present site by a helicopter in two pieces.
Henry Moore was born in Castleford, England. He was the son of a coal miner
and the seventh of eight children. When he was ten years old, he heard a story
about Michelangelo and set his goal on becoming a sculptor. As a young sculptor,
he was inspired by Mexican and African carvings. His early works reflect the
simple and monumental quality of primitive sculpture.