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The sculpture is based on a cartoon sketch by Conrad. According to the Chain Reaction City Landmark Assessment Report by ICF International:the sculpture has a disheveled quality akin to the sketch-like markings and distorted proportions [of] Paul Conrad's political cartoons...this quality is conveyed by the...treatment of the stem, the irregular placement of the links, and a subtle distortion of scale between the tall stem, its pronounced bulges, and a relatively small mushroom cloud. The ability of the large brass links to catch light and define pockets of random shadow in the small spaces between them is similar in effect to the stark treatment of light [and] dark that Conrad often employed in his political cartoons.
Custom fabricator Peter M. Carlson, who also created sculptures for artists Ellsworth Kelly, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Charles Ray, assembled the 26-foot high sculpture depicting an upwardly expanding nuclear mushroom cloud in the form of a "large metal chain".  The look and structure of the chain was created by linking 38,000 hollow brass J-shaped pipes used for plumbing fixtures. The pipes are welded together and attached by screws and wire to fiberglass covering a steel frame.The theme of the sculpture reflects the subject of nuclear disarmament.
Charles Ray Robert Rauschenberg Roy Lichtenstein J-shaped pipes Ellsworth Kelly mushroom cloud Jeff Koons Paul Conrad nuclear disarmament