Art handlers from United Rigging and Marshall Fine Arts, with staff from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, will install a 31 foot-tall steel sculpture, which is painted vibrant blue, on the museum’s grounds at the corner of 9th and F streets N.W. “Modern Head” by Roy Lichtenstein will be lifted into place on a concrete slab poured specifically for the sculpture, and the final “wing” piece will be installed on site. The sculpture weighs approximately 13,000 pounds.

“Modern Head” was on display in Battery Park City, one block from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The sculpture survived the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack with only surface scratches and temporarily was used by the FBI as a message board during its investigation.  

Media inquiries on Aug. 27 during the installation should be directed to Mandy Young at 202) 631-5222 or Jo Ann Sims at (202) 538-4879. 

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is located at Eight and F streets N.W., above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except Dec. 25. Admission is free. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Web site: americanart.si.edu.

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SI-335-2008