Not true! Sure, Alexander Calder's 39-foot painted steel Eagle is going to be Seattle's next icon, but from this angle it looks kind of like a puppy getting ready to nip at its master's trousers. Rivalry of middle-aged artworks: Eagle is 35, Needle's pushing 50.
Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park opens to the public Jan. 20th.
Seattle's Calder resembles an eagle as much as Grand Rapids' "La Grande Vitesse" resembles a river's rapids, regardless of the "grande"-ness of La Vitesse. However, Seattle's sculpture does mimic a prehistoric bird of meat-loving prey. Ah, the sense of perspective, design, color and interpretation. Be proud of your Calder. It will always be true to you.
Question: Why does Calder coat his open-air sculpture in orange-ish/red while his other medium are vibrant with primary colors?
Here's a cut 'n paste to La Grande Vitesse...
http://www.nea.gov/about/40th/grandrapids.html
David
Hey, speaking of sculptures downtown, do you know what happen to the Pi sign down on Harbor Steps? Did they move it to the SAM park?
David - I use to live in GR and we had nice festivals under the Calder. It was a part of our city logo, as well. I have fond memories of it.
The Pi is in Redmond by the Sammammish River trail, about a mile north of Marymoor park following the trail.
Robert,
I call Grand Rapids home, albeit the burb of Byron Center.
Ron was in G.R. this past spring for a little birhtday celebration (note to editor; we never did see a Cornichon piece about that) and took Ron to Meijer Gardens as well as quick tour of downtown. He enjoyed dinner at 1913.
David
The puppy comment had me in stitches - so true!
Don't overlook "Flamingo" in Chicago, another oversized "hunk" circa 1973