James Muir’s ‘Eternal’: A Transformative Pathway Awaits

James Muir’s sculpture “Eternal” has officially been added to Sedona’s Art in the Roundabouts project, with its unveiling at the Chapel Road roundabout. The event, held on the afternoon of June 13, featured a brief interfaith blessing led by Rabbi Alicia Magal and Father Ignatius Mazanowski. Mayor Scott Jablow and Arts & Culture Coordinator Nancy Lattanzi also shared their thoughts, drawing approximately 50 attendees.

Mayor Jablow expressed his gratitude, stating, “I feel very humbled to have this beautiful piece of artwork here forever as a legacy to James. Every time we enter this side of the city, we will think of James Muir.”

The sculpture mimics the silhouette of an oil lamp with an eternal flame, directing attention toward the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Its base, crafted from a welded rebar gabion basket filled with red rocks, evokes a cairn system, symbolizing navigation and exploration.

Muir described the Mobius ring surrounding the lamp, stating, “You can start at any point on the surface and ultimately return to where you began. It has only one side.” He related this concept to a perception of God, emphasizing that divine love is singular and encompassing.

The piece functions as a “sculptural billboard,” promoting Sedona while guiding visitors to the chapel, which also features Muir’s 33-foot bronze work “Christ of the Holy Cross,” installed in 2018.

“Eternal” embodies a “divine pathway,” Muir explained, highlighting Sedona’s hiking paths, which invite an intimate experience with nature. He acknowledges this sculpture as his first non-figurative public piece, a departure from the intricate bronze artistry that has defined his career for over four decades. He faced challenges in design to ensure it wouldn’t distract drivers.

“It was liberating for me, personally and artistically,” Muir remarked, reflecting on his transition from emotionally explicit sculptures to this more abstract form.

Muir’s works are known for their allegorical depth, with symbolism transcending spoken language. He emphasized that art allows viewers to derive personal meaning without needing an explanation, echoing Isadora Duncan’s view on dance.

Creating the large-scale Mobius Ring was a collaborative effort. Metal fabricator James Tyler, of Metal Pro in Phoenix, assisted in this ambitious project. “It was probably the first one made like this,” Tyler noted, highlighting the challenges and rewards during the installation.

Muir recalled his arrival in Sedona in 1978, drawn by signs and symbols that spoke to him. This artistic connection to flame and sculpture has shaped his work and vision for the area.

Looking ahead, the final piece in the roundabout art series, “Look In Up,” by Mark Feldtkeller, is expected to be installed by the end of July or early August, following a necessary curing period for the concrete foundation.