A new copper map installation has been unveiled at El Río, designed to symbolize the unifying power of music across cultures. The map, made from copper in recognition of Arizona’s nickname as the Copper State, features the inscription “Music is the language of the world.” This phrase reflects the Musical Instrument Museum’s (MIM) motto, “Music is the language of the soul,” which appears on a welcome wall nearby.
Exhibit designer Shelby Sickler began working on the project in 2023. “Working on the copper map has been an exciting experience, blending art, technical design, and project management in a truly unique way,” Sickler said. “It’s an honor to contribute to the creation of something that will serve as a striking, beautiful, and meaningful addition to El Río for years to come.”
Sickler used AutoCAD software to draw more than 50 shapes representing continents and islands. These digital designs were sent to Creative Machines, a Tucson-based firm specializing in museum installations. At their facility, each piece was cut from copper plate using high-pressure water-jet technology.
Creative Machines also developed a custom mounting system for assembling and installing the map. Labels were etched onto each piece for precise placement during assembly.
After fabrication, artists Tim Church and Monard Nichols treated each copper piece with chemicals and natural processes at their studio in Murphy, Texas. Church’s patinated copper work influenced both color and contour choices for this project. The finished surface was sealed with epoxy resin.
The completed map measures over 12 feet long by seven feet high and weighs more than 400 pounds. It can be viewed from both floors of North El Río and serves as a focal point for visitors exiting MIM.
“I hope guests’ first reaction will be admiration for the map’s beauty, especially the colors and abstract shapes created through the complex patina process,” Sickler said. “Beyond that, I hope they’ll connect with the deeper concept behind it and understand why we chose to express the idea that music is the language of the world. We wanted to convey how music transcends boundaries, uniting continents and cultures.”
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