@Michaelcohill back 5-0s the plaque of Dale Chihuly’s Polymer sculpture outside of the Goodyear Polymer Center at the University of Akron, one of the most recognizable buildings in Akron’s skyline.
Designed by architect Richard Fleischman, the Polymer building was finished in 1991 and marked a shift from Akron’s rubber manufacturing past to it’s future as a hub in Northeast Ohio’s “Polymer Valley”. A natural progression since rubber was the first polymer.
In 2005, a 30 foot polyurethane and stainless-steel sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly was installed outside of the building. 83 individual forms mounted to a central armature stretch to the sky. Polymers, reimagined as public art.
Polymer isn’t just a name. It’s where we’re from.
1. @michaelcohill 📷 @braun.dv
2. @michaelcohill from “Lighter—Than—Air” 🎥 @braun.dv
3. Above angle of Dale Chihuly’s Polymer sculpture
4. Timelapse of sculpture being built
5. Plaque of sculpture
6. The Goodyear Polymer Center upon completion 1991
7. Preliminary sketch of the building by architect Richard Fleischman
8. Polymer Center under construction
9. Airships over Polymer Center 2002
10-11. Pages from Fleischman’s book “Spaces To Be Shared”
12. Synthetic rubber plaque outside the Polymer Center
13. @michaelcohill 📷 @braun.dv
Super 8 of Jake’s ollies into the plaque for Robert Morris’s Untitled, as seen in Lighter—Than—Air’s Federal section playing over at @theoriesofatlantis ’s YouTube. Installed in 1979, Morris’s sculpture consists of six granite blocks grouped in pairs, each spaced 3.5 inches apart and set by crane. It’s been quietly sitting in the background of clips for decades.
1. My raw Super 8
2. Clip from Lighter-Than-Air 🎥 @braun.dv
3. Untitled model via Smithsonian American Art Museum
4. ABJ photograph via Summit Memory
@polymer330 polymerskateboarding.com
Michael and Jesse talk the making of “Lighter—Than—Air”, Akron’s newest skateboard video, with Josh Stewart over at @theoriesofatlantis . Link in bio.
Polymerskateboarding.com
We’re excited to share that Lighter—Than—Air is now available via @theoriesofatlantis distribution, in the company of some truly iconic videos and brands. Link in bio. Thank you @mystaticlife !
We will be slanging Lighter—Than—Air DVDs and Polymer t-shirts and hoodies tomorrow at Akron's oldest skateboard institution, First Glance (1/13). Come hang out and skate!
Beginner session: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Open skate: 7:00pm-10:00pm
943 Kenmore Blvd.
Akron Ohio
📸 @mike_chinner
@michaelcohill | @garykdean | @jake_grella_
🎥 @braun.dv
Lighter—Than—Air
December 27th 2025
The Nightlight Cinema
30 N High St.
Akron, OH
Free Admission
Doors 7pm
First showing 8pm
Second showing 9pm
100 years ago today, America’s first airship fell from the sky.
On September 3, 1925, the USS Shenandoah — the Navy’s “Queen of the Sky” — was caught in a violent thunderstorm over southern Ohio. Torn apart mid-air, it crashed near Ava, OH, killing 14 of the 43 crew on board, including its captain, Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Lansdowne.
Though designed for calmer European skies, the Shenandoah had already made history with America’s first transcontinental airship flight. But the unpredictable Midwest unpredictable weather sealed its fate.
The community of Ava and airship enthusiasts gathered at the monument erected in 1937 to remember the lives lost. A new plaque was unveiled to mark the 100th anniversary.
Gone, but not forgotten.
Commemoration Footage and Photographs: @braun.dv
Plaque Reading: Jerry Copas, author
Music: Shenandoah Highschool Band
Memorabilia courtesy of Shenandoah Memorial Trailer
Edit: @braun.dv
