New Piece, 1966. Painted steel, 61 1″ x 12′ x 14’2.” Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey, © Tony Smith Estate/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

For Phish fans, the rhombus holds significance. Those keen on band lore will recall the parallelogram’s looming presence in Garden State, known as the “New Piece” sculpture, which resides in the lawn at the Institution for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J. The gruff four-sided piece was a marker for Trey Anastasio and Tom Marshall’s meetups–workshopping fantasies as teens, which would later reveal itself in “Gamehendge.” Now, the artist’s proof of the original sculpture is going up for bid. 

Interested parties can place their price on sculptor Tony Smith’s original artist’s proof [10 1⁄2 × 18 × 21 1⁄2 in.], with a starting price of $250,000. A portion of the sale proceeds will benefit the Divide Sky Residential Recovery Program in Vermont and TeachRocks. The online auction opens on Monday, December 15, at 4:20 p.m. 

In an article detailing the original work, and covered on mendowerks.com, they referenced Sculpture magazine’s description of the structure’s essence: “The 20-foot-9-inch steel sculpture seemingly transforms itself, changing configuration as you walk around or through it.”

Notably, Phish, Trey Anastasio, and Tom Marshall are not affiliated with the auction. Notably, artist’s proofs often hold added value, given their use and importance to the makers who model and mold their intimate creation on a small scale before producing the finished product. 

Read Phish Perform “Gamehendge” for the First Time Since 1994 at MSG for more context. 

Visit www.retroactv.com, bidding opens on Monday, December 15, at 4:20 p.m.