A public art piece in Ohio entitled Garden of Constants made me curious about Barbara Grygutis' other works. So far, I have visited two pieces in Texas, Leon Creek Crossing in San Antonio and Silver Lining in El Paso.
Leon Creek Crossing created in 2016, is a layered, multi-dimensional work of art designed for the Hausman Road Bridge at Leon Creek Greenway in San Antonio, Texas. The artwork brings images from the natural shapes of the riparian plant community up from below to create an inviting pedestrian walkway along the otherwise concrete bridge. The canopy of the passage echoes the tree canopy along the Leon Creek Greenway below.
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Leon Creek Crossing by Barbara Grygutis, seven aluminum units, each 14’ H x 14’ W x 10’
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Leon Creek Crossing by Barbara Grygutis, a series of seven arched sculptures, evoking natural shapes, combine to form a sculptural space through which the viewer passes
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Leon Creek Crossing by Barbara Grygutis
© 2016 Katie McCann, Leon Creek Crossing by Barbara Grygutis, at night, Leon Creek Crossing is lit from within to create vibrant blue color effects, integrated light
We drove to El Paso, Texas to see Barbara's Silver Lining. Fourteen identical sculptures created in 2009, emanate computer-synchronized kinetic light. They are sited on the second story of the El Paso Civic Center to create an elevated pedestrian promenade, which circles the civic center. The circa 1964 building becomes the canvas for a shifting display of brilliant colored light.
One can no longer walk through the sculptures as the second floor is barricaded. I shot my photos from the barricade and the stairs. It is unfortunate that the city has permitted this building to fall into disrepair. Barbara's sculptures still look good!
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Silver Lining by Barbara Grygutis
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Silver Lining by Barbara Grygutis, fourteen sculptures, 18’ H x 6’ D x 6’ W
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Silver Lining by Barbara Grygutis
© 2009 Vanessa Monsisvais, Silver Lining by Barbara Grygutis, computer-synchronized light
While traveling through Tucson, last December, I had a chance to view Front Row Center built in 1999, at the University of Arizona. Front Row Center, the environmental sculpture consists of ten bronze chairs and five small amphitheater units used during outside performances and gatherings.
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Front Row Center by Barbara Grygutis, integrated into the front landscape of the Marroney Theatre at the University of Arizona Fine Arts Department
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Front Row Center by Barbara Grygutis, 12'H x 3'W x 3'D, fabricated sheet bronze, handmade tile, landscape
© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Front Row Center by Barbara Grygutis
We are back in Tucson, Arizona, and serendipitously to my surprise while driving on Kino Parkway I saw Sonoran Passage a sculptural treatment of the major interchange bridge connecting Kino Parkway over 22nd Street.
This gateway constructed in 2015 is the entry point to downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona from the airport. It includes 14 large sculptural elements integrated into the overall layout of the bridge. The bridge piers echo the sculpture forms’ design. The inspiration for this cohesive artwork was the cross-section of the Saguaro cactus, uniquely native to the Sonoran desert setting. Pedestrian rail arches additionally pull together all of the sculptural elements of the bridge. The sculptures are lighted at dusk creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere for commuters around the clock.
© 2018, Louise Levergneux, Sonoran Passage by Barbara Grygutis, 40’ H x 100’ L x 60’ D, aluminum, concrete, light
© 2018, Louise Levergneux, Sonoran Passage by Barbara Grygutis
© 2018, Louise Levergneux, Sonoran Passage by Barbara Grygutis
© 2015, Katie McCann, Sonoran Passage by Barbara Grygutis
Barbara’s sculptural environments enhance our surroundings and reveal unspoken relationships between nature and humanity. She engages the public through her works of art by identifying themes meaningful to each specific site and community. With over 75 large-scale commissioned works of public art throughout North America, Barbara is recognized internationally for her sculptural environments.
When you look at a city from a different and new perspective, one can find the most extraordinary phenomenon for the mind and eyes.
Looking forward to visiting other cities that have commissioned Barbara’s work.