For the CoreStates Center (now known as the Wells Fargo Center) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Martha Madigan fashioned a suspended spiral mobile sculpture celebrating the human spirit as it transcends the limitations of the body while simultaneously pushing the limits of state-of-the-art glass technology.  Madigan incorporated elements from nature that correspond to the four ancient elements - earth, air, fire, and water - to symbolize the eternal quality in human nature that allows us to overcome our limitations.  Madigan collaged this natural and elemental imagery to form the silhouettes of our greatest sports and entertainment legends.  A background composed of an element of nature surrounds each silhouette.  A hockey player of volcanic fire and flame, a basketball star of wind and air, a tennis player of verdant grass and earth and others figures come alive as transparent photographic images.  Each sports figure is depicted in action against a background of a related element from nature.  These brilliantly colored images are laminated between nine by four foot sheets of Starphire crystal glass and so become transcendent bodies filled with light, floating through the air on a spiral that symbolizes the eternal nature of the human quest for excellence.

The sculpture was commissioned for the new center by Martha and Ed Snider, whose support and enthusiasm as art collectors made this unique work possible.  Working with the world's experts in glass design, glass and steel engineering, and digital imagery, Madigan has created a new form of stained glass for the coming millennium.  James Carpenter Design Associates consulted on technical design and engineering; Tri-Pyramid Structures has fabricated the steel armature; and John Depp, Inc. fabricated the unique glass panels.  Aided by her high-powered team, Madigan created the glass and steel spiral sculpture suspended high above the visitors to the Main Atrium.  Photographic imagery, glass and steel have been engineered to support and balance each other, functioning as a team, as do the players performing inside the new arena.