“Flukes” is Dedicated in Waterfront Park

Artist and philanthropist Gordon Gund helped to dedicate his already-popular gift to the MBL, his bronze sculpture “Flukes,” at an August 1 ceremony in Waterfront Park, Woods Hole.

Gordon Gund, center, at the dedication ceremony for his sculpture, "Flukes," which he donated to the MBL. To his right is Lulie Gund, his wife; on his left is MBL Board of Overseers member Deena Gu Laties.

Since its installation in May, “Flukes” has drawn the admiration of many young visitors to the park who enjoy touching its massive curves (but are asked not to climb on it!) Adults, too, appreciate the 1,500-pound sculpture’s abstract form, which evokes a whale’s tail and looks right at home with Great Harbor sparkling a few yards away.

MBL President and Director Joan Ruderman introduced Mr. Gund and his wife, Lulie Gund. Ruderman noted that “Flukes” is a fitting monument for Woods Hole, which prospered as a whaling port in the mid-1800s prior to becoming an international center for scientific research.

"Flukes" (2012) by Gordon Gund. Credit: Beth Armstrong

Gund, who has been working in wood, clay, and bronze for more than 30 years, is predominantly known for his successful endeavors as a businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the chairman and CEO of Gund Investment Corporation in Princeton, New Jersey; former co-owner of the San Jose Sharks (NHL) and former principal owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is currently a minority owner of the Cavaliers.

In 1970, Gund lost his sight to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and in 1971 he co-founded Foundation Fighting Blindness in Columbia, Maryland, to help find treatments and cures for RP and allied inherited retinal degenerative diseases.