Spaceship Earth‚ a 175−ton circular sculpture created by world−renowned Finno−American artist Eino‚ was unveiled to the public during a ceremony Friday‚ Oct. 20‚ at 10:30 a.m. in front of Kennesaw State University’s new Social Sciences Building.

The $1 million sculpture is considered one of Eino’s most notable projects. The massive design consists of a 15−foot−diameter sphere comprised of 88 separate pieces of Brazilian blue quartzite‚ as well as 2‚400 bronze pieces attached to the face of the 22−foot−high globe. A life−size bronze figure of environmentalist David Brower is stationed near the apex.

Spaceship Earth was commissioned by Jennifer and Brian Maxwell‚ founders of PowerBar‚ as a tribute to Brower‚ who died in 2000. Unfortunately‚ Brian Maxwell didn’t live long enough to see the tribute come to fruition‚ suffering fatal cardiac arrest in 2004. Brian’s wife‚ Jennifer‚ his son‚ Justin‚ his mother‚ Phyllis Maxwell‚ his sister Sheila Maxwell‚ along with several family members and friends attended the unveiling.

“Spaceship Earth is a unique and generous gift from the Maxwell family‚” said Karen Paonessa‚ associate vice president of university advancement and director of the Kennesaw State University Foundation. “It is not only a beautiful artistic expression‚ but a historic environmental tribute that will touch lives for generations to come.”