This is a hyperbolic obelisk designed by R. R. Wilson, Fermilab's first director. It's on display at the reflecting pool in front of Fermi Lab's Wilson Hall in Batavia, Illinois----in other words, way out if the styx. Apparently getting it erected was harder than it looked. Here's an explanation of why "Acqua Alle Funi!" became name of the piece. In short...they needed help getting it up. ;^D

BEHIND THE NAME

'Acqua alle funi' refers to an incident that occurred in the piazza (square) of St. Peter's cathedral in the 16th century when the large Egyptian obelisk was being raised in the piazza. Dr. Wilson recounts the historical episode:

"Nearly 1,000 men and hundreds of horses were pulling on thick ropes attached to the obelisk in order to raise it to the vertical. Thousands of dignitaries and citizens of Rome were assembled to watch the erection, but were restrained to silence by penalty of death so that the commands of the chief erector, Domenico Fontana could be heard. By noon the obelisk had been raised to 45°, but the midday sun so heated the ropes that they began to lengthen and to slide on the capstans.

"The obelisk began to sag inelegantly toward the earth. Despite the harsh commands of Fontana, nothing would avail. At this critical point an old Genoese sailor, Bresca di Bordighera, could restrain himself no longer and shouted out 'Acqua alle funi' -- 'water to the ropes!' Instead of executing Bresca, Fontana commanded the erectors to throw water on the ropes. This caused the ropes to contract, to stick to the capstans, and the erection to the vertical preceded without further incident.

"Bresca was rewarded and made a nobleman of the Vatican for putting himself in jeopardy. His decendants still have the privilege of selling palms to the faithful at the Vatican on Palm Sunday."