Athens in Athens County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
'Input', 2004
Maya Lin in collaboration with Tan Lin
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 24, 2021
1. 'Input' Marker
Bicentennial Park was created in 2004 as part of the celebration of the bicentennial of the founding of Ohio University and was dedicated on May 30, 2004.
The most prominent feature of the 3.5-acre park, is the earthwork installation designed by internationally renowned artist Maya Lin. The piece, titled "Input," relates to Lin's first official connection with the University. The daughter of professor emerita of English Julia Lin and the late Henry Lin, dean emeritus of the College of Fine Arts, she studied computer programming at the University while in high school.
The installation consists of 21 rectangles, some raised and some depressed, resembling computer punch cards that were a mainstay of early programming courses. Embedded into each rectangle are words composed by Tan Lin - creating a 'landscape of words' that reflects their memories of Ohio University and of Athens, Ohio. This project was funded through Ohio's Percent for Art Program.
This is the text transcribed in the sculpture. It can be read East to West and vice versa or randomly.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Asian Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 2004.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Silas Bingham House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cutler Botanic Gardens (about 300 feet away); Ohio University (about 300 feet away); The Ordinance of 1787 (about 300 feet away); Donald R. Johnson Memorial Channel (about 400 feet away); Ohio's Cherry Trees (approx. 0.2 miles away); Japanese Cherry Trees (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lynching in America / Lynching of Christopher Davis (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 24, 2021
2. 'Input' Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 24, 2021
3. 'Input' Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 24, 2021
4. 'Input' Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,174 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
