Temporary Public Artwork on view at Maclure Square: 'Silent Monitor' by Emily Quandahl

Silent Monitor by Emily Quandahl

At Historic New Harmony's Maclure Square, 505 Main St., New Harmony, IN 47631

The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is pleased to present Silent Monitor: a temporary public art project by artist Emily Quandahl. On view from August 25–November 30, 2026, this public art installation unites past and present by utilizing form, color and light to recall a unique artifact tied to the historic Owen–Maclure community. This group of educators and scientists settled in present-day New Harmony from 1825–27, and a suite of programming celebrating its impact is currently taking place in New Harmony through Summer 2027 (more at the website: https://www.owenmaclure200.com/ ) led by Historic New Harmony. During the Owen–Maclure experiment, community founder and thought leader Robert Owen (1771–1858) pioneered the silent monitor: a small, four-sided object that functioned as a silent system tracking factory worker productivity. This monitor was easily hung at a worker’s station with a different color on each side–blue, black, white, yellow–and turned in order to reflect a worker’s productivity that day. Quandahl’s public art installation reflects on this historic artifact, expanding on its original meaning for a contemporary audience.

Visitors to Silent Monitor can stand in colorful panel ‘sides’ of the monitor art installation and survey the colorful reflections of these sunlit panels from within. Walking past and through the panels immerses the visitor into the art installation itself, giving the participant a close-up view of the light mosaic created by overlapping color patterns and textures. Colorful light reflections also extend across a central mosaic placed beneath the visitor, with the shape of this feature mimicking a silent monitor when viewed. The artwork will be activated by events throughout Fall 2026. Information will be made available at https://www.usi.edu/new-harmony-gallery-of-contemporary-art/programs/events and all public-facing events are free and open to all. Information on the public artwork will be available on outdoor signage placed at the installation during gallery operating hours between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday.