A revisit to Rattlesnake Ranch sculptures gave the opportunity to take a second, closer look at the sculptures.
Benson, Arizona – May 2023 – Sculpture Close Ups
Tag: Sculptures
Dragoon, Arizona – March 2023 – Dinosaurs of the Desert
Not far from the Amerind Museum is the Rattlesnake Ranch. While we visited we didn’t see any live snakes, but did see plenty of dinosaur’s – giant metal sculptures.
The only snake we saw was this sculpture.
The sign said if the gate was open you were free to wander about – so we did.
Nearly all of the sculptures were done by Mexican artists.
The grasslands and mountains gave an aura of authenticity to the dinosaurs. Jurassic Park in Arizona.
Mixing ages with a horse against a dinosaur.
A true Arizona feature – a Gila Monster.
There are a few non dinosaur/animal sculptures around including this one honoring the Native Americans who once ruled this area.
If you ever find yourself traversing Southern Arizona on I-10, take a few minutes to check out this great roadside america item.
Tucson – February 2023 – Lego Sculptures in the Botanical Gardens
The Tucson Botanical Gardens has an exhibit with nearly full size sculptures of animals made out of Legos.
Sean Kenney is the artist, with the exhibit titled Nature POP!
The exhibit includes some flat pieces that resemble a painting.
Most of the full size sculptures are made up of over 50,000 Lego’s.
One section had an entire collection of rabbits.
There were a couple non animal sculptures.
The sculptures were well done, and added much color to the gardens.
Tucson – February 2023 – African Art Show
As mentioned in an earlier posting the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows are far more than just gems and minerals. One of the more colorful, and larger shows, is the African Art Show.
There were rows and rows of vendors with all sorts of colorful items.
First up – a Ghana Djembe.
A Benin bronze statue.
A grouping of wooden giraffes.
A Bembe carving from the Congo.
Many of the booths had walls of masks.
Senegalese woven grass baskets.
A collection of masks from the Congo.
According to the all knowing Google Images these small carvings are most likely from the Ivory Coast. Once again proving I should take better notes.
This bust has a great mix of carving and bead work.
The same booth had these amazing full bead work sculptures.
They also had these colorful baskets.
The artist nailed this one.
The mystery ladies.
Tucson – January 2023 – First Look at the Gem and Mineral Show
People from all over the world come to Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. There are more than 40 different locations throughout the city where more than 4000 vendors have booths and tents set up. This posting is for a visit to the Kino Gem and Mineral Show.
With the show running for more than 2 weeks, more posting will follow.
Some of the vendors are wholesale only.
Most however are geared to the general public. All have an eclectic collection of items for sale, starting with the minerals and gems.
The majority have collections of more finished items.
Others aren’t even gems, but still make for great photos.
A few more gems.
Tucson – January 2023 – Sculpture Park
In addition to the sports parks and equestrian center, Brandi Fenton Memorial Park in Tucson has a sculpture park. The park has a mix of permanent and temporary pieces.
The area was originally a ranch set out in the middle of the desert. Today the ranch house remains, serving as the offices for the park.
The pieces located near the house are permanent.
As you make your way to the rear of the property you find the temporary exhibits that are for sale.
(All details are provided by the program provided by a docent) – This piece is title ‘The Joy of Desire’ by Phoenix artist Eugene Strickland.
This sculpture is known as ‘The Strength of the Sky’, and is dedicated to the first Native American in space John Herrington. It was completed in 2016 by Tucson artist Jimmy Descant.
Another flight based piece is ‘Swifts in Joyful Flight’. This steel piece is by Greg Corman.
The description of this piece names it ‘Sigillaria’, a stainless steel piece over 8′ tall.
Title ‘Self Made Woman’, the artist Adam Homan states it is about claiming your freedom despite the appearance of seemingly rigid constraints.
‘Interplay’ is an interpretation of artist Pamela Ambrosio’s own painting.
Artist Kerry Cannon’s statement in the guide of this piece (Aorian Slugs) states that it is an Ode to Joy.
Leaving the garden area behind, we return to the back side of the house for the last couple permanent pieces.
Lincoln, Massachusetts – December 2022 – de Cordova Sculpture Park
The deCordova Sculpture Park is located in suburban Boston, and features one of the largest rotating collections in New England. Situated on the former estate of Julian de Cordova, it covers more than 30 acres.
Nathan Mabry – Heavy Handed.
Isaac Witkin – Jacob’s Dream.
Dennis Kowal – Migration Series Number 7
Jaume Plensa – Humming.
Bianca Beck – Untitled, but meant to represent the human body.
Jim Dine – Two Big Black Hearts.
Melvin Edwards – Brighter Days
Melvin Edwards – Brighter Days
Melvin Edwards – Song of the Broken Chains.
Ioanna Pantazopoulou – Jungle Prosthetics Enchanted Forest
Ursula Von Rydingsdvard – Elegantka.
Salt Lake City – September 2022 – Utah State Capitol
The Utah State Capitol sits on the aptly named Capitol Hill above downtown Salt Lake City. Completed in 1916 it’s style is similar to most of the state capitol buildings in the U.S.
As always this posting is not meant to document all the features of the building, rather to reflect on some of the more photogenic views.
The lions guarding the side of the building were originally made out of concrete, but were replaced during a 4 year overall capitol restoration project ending in 2008. They are now made out of Italian marble, and were completed by Nick Fairplay.
This glass window features the ubiquitous Utah beehive. The beehive symbolizes the belief that the community works together as a whole to improve life for all.
One of the two grand marble staircases. Each staircase has a massive mural depicting the mormon settlement of Utah.
The rotunda ceiling. When the building was first completed the rotunda remained unfinished for 20 years until the cyclorama was completed in 1934.
The artwork around the rotunda was completed at the same time.
This bust is of the native Ute hunter and fur trader Unca Sam.
Nearby is a bust of Ute leader John Duncan.
Noted Utah inventor Philo T Farnsworth is also featured on the 4th floor gallery. Among his many discoveries Farnsworth is credited with inventing the first complete television.
Also from the 4th floor many of the details visible.
El Paso – September 2022 – Views from Above
The road that runs along a small mountain just north of downtown El Paso provides scenic views has the appropriate name of ‘Scenic Drive’.
From here you can easily see most of El Paso, and across the border to Juarez.
The houses on top of the hill appear to be the most expensive in town.
The overlooks provide a panoramic view of downtown El Paso, as well as the mountains behind Juarez.
The Manhattan Heights neighborhood below is accented by a large collection of cypress trees rising above.
A close up of the neighborhoods on both sides of the border.
This giant red X is a sculpture in Juarez that is (according to most) intended to symbolize the combination of Spanish and Native cultures.
With the glass eye in the center it also is thought to represent the Aztec symbol Nahui Ollen, for balance in the universe.
So much for balance.
Meanwhile back up on the hill is this large home with their own Statue of Liberty, visible from the border. You can’t get close enough to see if it has the famed inscription on it.
Tucson – May 2022 – Tucson Botanical Gardens
Part 2 of the visit to the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
RDZ Photography 