Elanco’s Public Art for Neighborhoods Makes a Splash

One Health, the philosophy that recognizes the interconnectedness of animals, people and the planet, is represented by no single element as much as water. Whether it's access to clean water for livestock and our pets, or the rivers flowing through the heartland in which we live, water's necessity is undeniable and ubiquitous.

It is only fitting that this essential element has inspired a new public art sculpture at the entrance of the OneHealth Innovation District, located along the banks of the White River in downtown Indianapolis, the home of our new global headquarters. We are pleased to unveil Water in Dripping, River by artist Zheng Lu, an 18.4 x 11.5 x 9.2 foot stainless steel sculpture presented courtesy of the City of Indianapolis' Public Art for Neighborhoods program.

Inspiration & Creative Process

Artist Zheng Lu's series Water in Dripping, River celebrates the transformative power of water, recognizing it as essential to life itself. Water in Dripping, River captures themes of river tributaries that create connection, the DNA double helix foundational to biological science and "splash" moments that catalyze innovation. According to Dave Kinard, Elanco's Executive Vice President Human Resources, Corporate Communications and Administration states, "When you look at a piece of art, you get your own meaning out of it. From the beginning, what we started to see in this piece starts at the top. You see the tendrils. If you look at a satellite view of rivers and the tributaries that come into it, you see that represented here as it brings communities together." These themes link our mission to improve life through animal health and well-being with our role as a global innovator, rooted in Indiana's capital city.

Creating these sculptures is a meticulous, labor-intensive process that can take months to complete. Zheng Lu begins by studying the natural motion of water droplets using slow-motion video. From these movements, he sculpts a clay mold. Stainless steel sheets are then laser-cut, heated, wrapped around the mold, and welded together. The clay is melted out with further heat, and the final piece is carefully polished. There is a striking duality inherent in the work: stainless steel-a material that is hard and static-is used to capture the softness and fluidity of water.

Artist Zheng Lu's Background & Accomplishments

A native of Inner Mongolia, Zheng Lu grew up practicing calligraphy while transcribing for his father, who was a poet. He studied at the prestigious Central Academy of Fine Arts in China and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His work has been exhibited internationally in museums and galleries including the National Museum of China in Beijing; Long Museum and Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art in Shanghai; Museum on the Seam in Jerusalem; Musée Océanographique in Monaco; and Musée Maillol in Paris. In 2015, his work was the focus of a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, one of the leading institutions in the region. Most recently, in 2023, his work was featured in Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions at Asia Society Texas in Houston.

Water in Dripping, River is Zheng Lu's first permanent public artwork in the United States.

Public Art for Neighborhoods Program

Water in Dripping, River is part of the Public Art for Neighborhoods program (PAFN) which ensures that City incentive funding for private development in certain districts returns benefits to neighborhoods in the form of increased arts and cultural activity.

For more than a year, Elanco worked with local stakeholders and Art Strategies, LLC, a local curatorial, strategic planning and project management firm, to facilitate the selection of the artist and artwork. The Public Art for Neighborhoods selection committee unanimously approved the piece in October 2024. Jay Napoleon, co-founder of the Valley Neighborhood where our new global headquarters is nestled, was quoted saying during our art unveiling event, "This unveiling represents both a milestone in our efforts to bring development and beauty to this historic part of our neighborhood, and a rebirth - a new beginning to better understand the people who live, work, and play here: past, present, and future."

We are excited to bring Water in Dripping, River to downtown Indianapolis and invite the community to find inspiration and strength in its movement and self-reflection in its stillness.