Lippold, Richard [key], 1915–2002, American sculptor, engineer, and designer, b. Milwaukee. Until 1941, Lippold worked as an industrial designer. As a sculptor, he achieved startling effects in intricately arranged, precisely engineered constructions of suspended wire and sheet metal. Often large and always lyrical, his work explores abstract spatial relationships and includes the play of light as an integral part of the sculptures. Lippold held teaching positions in various schools and colleges and was on the faculty of Hunter College, New York City (1952–67). Among his major works are Aerial Act (Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford); Sun (Metropolitan Mus.), which contains more than 2 mi (3.2 km) of gold wire; Orpheus and Apollo (1961; formerly in David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City); and Ad Astra (1976; National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian).
See catalog of exhibition in Willard Gallery, New York City (1962).
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