Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Wings of the City at San Antonio Botanical Garden

"Wings of the City," a series of bronze sculptures by Mexican artist Jorge Marín, are on display at the San Antonio Botanical Garden through June 6, 2016 presenting a special opportunity to view classic sculpture in the garden.

Designed as a traveling exhibition shown in cities around the world and sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico along with local businesses, I was thrilled to see eight of the sculptures in November.  A ninth work from the series is on display at the Southwest School of Art.

The artist worked from a lofty concept:
“I wanted to share with a major audience one of my obsessions, which is the possibility of going beyond our physical limitations — metaphorically, we can fly to the place we wish to.” (from Marín's interview with the Dallas Morning News)
Angel Perselidas has just landed.  Beaked masks are designed to encourage interaction according to the artist.  Marín's placement of the sculptures within the gardens and in context of surrounding structures was particularly compelling.


Cycads evoke the wing theme and are a good textural match for the sculpture.  Agaves in the bed below make closeup viewing a challenge.


Tiempo crouches in the ornamental grasses with missing arms and partial skull.   Wing details are exquisite.  Marín began forming wings with modeling clay as a child and sculpted his first wings in art class at age 18. 


A bit battle weary still with intact wings, ready for action.


Well sited among specimen plants.


Wingless Split with angled legs reinforced by the form of surrounding buildings.


Placed at the highest point in the garden Split has a view of the city:

“In each city the experience is different, because the people make what the city is: their own dreams, aspirations, wishes” (Marín's interview with the Dallas Morning News)


Archivaldo strikes a powerful pose.


Details in relief evoke strength.


With an aviator's helmet and hands crossed behind Bernardo Oriental rests near a grove of ripening citrus.


Overlooking the formal gardens emphasizes his classic lines.  Photos from the exhibit in other cities show these pieces set against busy city scapes in contrast to this more restful garden setting.
  

Set in the palm room, Embrazo, an angel comforting a woman Pieta style.


It's the only sculpture in the exhibit displayed indoors.


Equilibrista 90 evokes balance and strength in a magnolia grove.


Alas de Mexico (Wings of Mexico) near the entrance invites us to climb the steps and become a part of the exhibit.  Appearing static on their own...


...then quite dynamic moments later when my garden club friends encountered them.


For a different perspective check out Pam's photos at Digging from the Houston stop on the tour. "Wings of the City" will be at the San Antonio Botanical Garden through June 6, 2016 so you have plenty of time to visit this spring for a view of art with the garden in bloom.

25 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this wonderful exhibit. I enjoyed viewing these gardens and magnificent sculptures while the ground is covered in a blanket of snow. Looks like you had a wonderful visit.

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    1. We are having a mild winter but I have seen the news of so much snow in the east.

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  2. I usually don't like naked-guy statues in a garden--but those are pretty cool.

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    1. They are well sited so as not to distract and I like that they change up the view of the gardens a bit.

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  3. Wow! They look so different in this garden then they did in Pam's photos. Definitely some good site selection going on.

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    1. The difference in context is striking.

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  4. Love! Had no idea that was going on- will go to the exhibit for sure. I have always admired his work.

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    1. They are wonderful and you get to tour the gardens at the same time!

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  5. These sculptures are beautiful and so perfectly placed in the botanic garden. I hope the exhibition reaches LA one day.

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    1. The sculptures would be a great match for LA and I'm sure the Mexican Consulate there is quite large so there's plenty of local support.

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  6. Wow, I have to say I really enjoyed that, and it wouldn't normally be my "thing." You give credit to the way the works are placed within the garden. In that same way you deserve credit for the way you framed your photos!

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    1. Thank you Loree, I enjoyed trying to find the artist's eye in each of these.

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  7. Shirley, I'm so glad you posted about this visit! I didn't get to see all of them and will go back to see them all. And you are so right about the site selection! That makes the viewer have a different emotion wherever the exhibit is viewed. Congrats on a beautiful post!

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    1. It is fun to follow the trail of the sculptures throughout the gardens. I enjoyed being there when the gardens were uncrowded.

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  8. something menacing about the beak masks
    but those wings definitely take flight!

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    1. They are friendlier in person though I was surprised to read they were meant to encourage interaction.

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  9. How fascinating. Obviously a very talented sculptor. The detail of the muscles does evoke strength, and each sculpture is unique. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Each piece was different and the wings were most fascinating in that respect.

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  10. I really enjoyed the exhibit when it was in Houston (thanks for the link love, by the way), and I hope to catch it in S.A. to see it in a garden setting. One thing I liked about the Houston display was that you could walk all around each sculpture and examine it closely. Clearly the S.A. exhibit is different, in that you can't walk among the plants, so I'm assuming they've paid special attention to siting and views.

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    1. It is an interesting comparison. Several are accessible though I enjoyed capturing the setting for most of the works.

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  11. Love both the detail in these and their overall presence. They're sited extremely well! It must be a great experience to see them in person!

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  12. First time visitor to SA's garden and was so fortunate to also see the beautiful sculptures. We were so impressed with this beautiful garden and will highly recommend it to friends. The hosta display on entering the gardens was fabulous!

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    1. So sorry....brain fog! It was the most beautiful display of sedums I have ever seen!



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    2. I'm so glad you enjoyed the garden and sculptures. I posted about the impressive succulent wall last year.

      http://rockoakdeer.blogspot.com/2014/09/succulents-on-rocks-for-lush-vertical.html

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  13. Fuller & more impressive this year. I am glad they took the signs down as they would be distracting from this beautiful display. We will definitely make another trip to this garden maybe in early May.

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