Both the title and the form of Curve to Point indicate that this is an object stark in its formalism. However, nature quickly manifests itself, producing an object that oscillates between object and environment, nature and culture, mathematics and symbolism.

Curve to Point is constructed from a curved plane manipulated in space to form a vortex. It wraps around itself and narrows as it is drawn out into an apex, resulting in a play between object and its surrounding landscape.

Curve to Point represents a spiral in reverse. Mathematically, spirals are defined as curves that originate from a central point. They are naturally occurring phenomena found in seashells, plants such as sunflowers and ferns and in weather systems. Symbolically, the spiral's shape implies the potential to unfurl interminably which is considered analogous with eternal life. Spirals, therefore, are commonly used to represent infinity.

The existence of man-made spirals dates back to Celtic Mazes, prehistoric drawings composed of spiral patterns. These drawings are found on walls throughout Ireland and other ancient Celtic lands and are thought to have been associated with femininity. They are also considered to represent a balance between inner and outer consciousness.

Evidence of the triple spiral, can be found at the Newgrange megalith that O'Connell visited frequently as a child. It is an image associated with Celtic and pre-Celtic beliefs dating back to 2500 BC, thought to have represented the notion that life moved in eternal circles, with central tenets of birth, death and rebirth or man, woman and child.

Land artists, especially Robert Smithson, adopted the spiral form for these varied preconceived associations, but also for its links to scientific structures, such as helices and crystals - references whose logical structures are inseparable from their primordial nature are inseparable.

The notions of opposition and consolidation are central to Curve to Point. It is an object which vacillates between mathematic and scientific, natural and symbolic to achieve a harmonious balance between object and environment.