Public Art

The Lofts @ 655 Sixth Avenue (SouthBlock)

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:40:21 -0500

Lofts at 655 6th Avenue is a 106 unit mixed use development and one of the few rental projects developed in the heart of downtown San Diego. The structure is cast in place concrete with in-fill glazing including a state of the art, on-site media center and computer lounge for the residents’ use. It incorporates principles of sustainability through the innovative design of a floating sun-tempering screen that sets out from the face of the building. This floating sun tempering element on the west elevation is suspended over the sidewalk below. It is, in essence, a second window system partially covered with photographic translucent film. Both the glass of the building skin itself and this outer hanging element will receive the film. Every ten years a photographic artist will be commissioned to tell a story using photographic translucent film on this exterior glass screen. This screen/story allows the building’s inhabitant and street life to interact with one another as passersby react and reflect on the images presented.

“That a Way” by Seward Johnson

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:36:08 -0500

The life-size image of a well turned-out, urban professional depicted in 'That a Way' appears to recognize The Sofia Hotel as the fashionable, boutique-inspired hotel featured in San Diego Magazine’s April 2007 issue that he holds. Because it will capture the public’s attention on Broadway for generations to come, the hotel and magazine chose to dedicate its presence to the success of downtown redevelopment. Recently the principals of both the magazine and hotel joined the families and friends of Governor Pete Wilson, Ernie Hahn and former CCDC executive Jerry Trimble acknowledging them as the original visionaries and driving force behind the city’s rebirth.

About the artist ~ Since 1968 more than 250 of Seward Johnson’s life-size cast bronze sculptures have been placed in private collections and museums in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia; as well as public art placements such as Rockefeller Center and the New Liberty Plaza in New York City, Pacific Place in Hong Kong, Les Halles in Paris, and Via Condotti in Rome. For more on his work you can visit www.SewardJohnson.com.

In Flight

4artsandculture — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:19:29 -0500

Through photography, using 10mm Bisazza Italian glass tile, the artist has beautifully captured reflective and often tender moments in the experience of flight. Depending on the viewers proximity to the artwork, these pixalated murals create an illusion of detail and abstraction.

Twist and Sprout

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:44:08 -0500

Blue McRight created two artworks entitled Twist and Sprout for the Nobel Athletic Area and North University Community Branch Library. The artist, inspired by the natural terrain and uses for the site, created a meaningful sense of place by symbolically identifying the two main buildings, the library and recreation center, as the mind and the body respectively. Through the use of metaphoric imagery, the artist encourages the whole complex to be seen as representing the whole person. In addition to the thematic connection of the mind/library with the body/athletic area, the artist draws inspiration from the natural environment and the technology industry which neighbors the site.

Walking Figures

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:04:40 -0500

Magdalena Abakanowicz's “Walking Figures,” portrays 18 iron cast figures in suspended movement with one foot forward. The 18 representations were individually cast in Poland under direction of the artist. Abakanowicz differentiated each figure with unique elements to ensure no two figures are alike.

Engagement Rings

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:02:23 -0500

“Engagement,” is a large-scale sculpture by noted artist Dennis Oppenheim. The work is intended to remind the viewer that marriage requires a balance between two people with different interests, tastes and backgrounds. “Engagement” represents the dichotomy of marriage, expressing the romantic and the melancholy.

Pixelated Summer

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:36:33 -0500

Sarah Lejeune collaborated with artist Angelo Camporaso to create a pair of colorful ceramic tile-mosaic installations which incorporate digital photographic images imprinted on the tiles in visual patterns evocative of the ocean and beach as well as the nearby amusement park. The installations are placed on the north and south walls of the comfort station and were inspired by the juxtaposition of Belmont Park and the ocean.

Landsailers

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:30:26 -0500

"Landsailers" is a temporary exhibit of ten sculptures throughout San Diego’s Pacific Beach and La Jolla neighborhoods. As part of the City of San Diego’s installation of water pollution management utilities, local artist Neal Bociek created ten “Landsailers,” whimsical assemblages of air, land and sea transportation vehicles. The sculptures are integrated into the beach environment and aesthetically and conceptually connect each utility box to its specific neighborhood location and to all the other utility boxes creating a coastal art trail that can be followed from La Jolla to Pacific Beach. The temporary exhibition of "Landsailers" will be on view for approximately five years.

Pacific Beach Lifeguard Station Plaza with Pelican Brown

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:50:27 -0500

Replacing a former dilapidated Tower, the new Pacific Beach Lifeguard Tower affords a much-needed gathering plaza while serving as an iconic and functional gateway to the beach front. The Plaza, located between the new lifeguard tower and the comfort station, has brought an enjoyable stopping point along the long board walk boulevard in Pacific Beach. The whimsical and fancy-free sculpture “Pelican Brown” (donning a vest!) welcomes beachgoers into the plaza by engaging them in a dance with bronze pavers representing his tango path. You can tell who he is right when you get there- he’s usually posing for the paparazzi or for pictures with tourist and children. Embedded blue glass and seashells in concrete mimic the meeting of "surf and turf" in the ground plane, meanwhile boulder placement allows for organic seating for walkers, skate-borders and cyclists to enjoy throughout the day and night. All together this project not only provides the needed gather space in PB, but it offers a fun and quirky ode to San Diego’s nature and to the Pelican Brown.

NOT SEEN, NOT HEARD, BUT FELT

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:15:09 -0500

A 14-foot sculpture fashioned of hot glass and metal that uses the beauty of its creation to raise awareness about the degradation of our oceans. The sculpture depicts sea life under the thin veil of the ocean surface struggling to survive among pollution and debris. Artist James Stone shows his interpretation of fish trapped in ghost nets – nets cut lose by fisherman, left floating in the oceans, trapping fish never to be released. A distinctively beautiful piece of sculpture that makes an eloquent and relevant statement.

See attached jpegs for more info or visit www.stoneandglass.com or contact 858-485-7701.

The project was located this year on San Diego's Embarcadero as one of the Port of San Diego's Urban Trees. This highly successful public art program has a a juried selection of art that is only temporarily on display. Currently the piece is on loan to Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. It would be a wonderful addition as a permanent artwork on our waterfront.