Pittsburgh Blossoms Eternal
November 21st, 2006 Posted in Cultural District, Sculpture
Photo Credit: Keith Hodan/Tribune-Review
On Wednesday, November 15, 2006, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust held a dedication ceremony to present “Magnolias for Pittsburgh,” a public art installation by Chicago-based sculptor Tony Tasset. The installation is situated at the Seventh Street and Penn Avenue Parklet, a rotating public art space overseen by the Trust since 1992, adjacent to Agnes R. Katz Plaza and the Benedum Center in the heart of the Cultural District.
“Magnolias for Pittsburgh” consists of two sculptures of a flowering magnolia tree. Each tree measures 22’ high by 24’ wide, and is cast in bronze from one hand-sculpted replica and realistically hand-painted in urethane enamel. Each tree contains approximately 800 flowers. The trees are set in a setting with five real magnolia trees, ivy ground cover and a curving path running between the trees.
In his artist statement, Mr. Tasset writes: “The intention of ‘Magnolias for Pittsburgh’ was first and foremost to create a public work with an egalitarian aesthetic that appeals to a wide range of the population. I wanted to simply create a little magic, fairy-tale moment in the daily hustle and bustle of downtown Pittsburgh.
“The work has a classic structure with comparisons made between art and nature. ‘Magnolias…’ is meant to have a dynamic relationship with the environment, always looking different as the stillness of the bronzes emphasizes the change of the seasons. Theoretically the trees will almost disappear into nature for a brief time in the spring as the real magnolias bloom.
“In addition ‘Magnolias…’ has several levels of perception. Some people will walk by and not even notice the trees are fake. Some will see the trees aren’t real, but think they were cast from a real tree. And finally the real attentive ones will know or discover that the trees were hand-sculpted.”
4 Responses to “Pittsburgh Blossoms Eternal”
By Michael B on Dec 12, 2006
I love the sculptures of the trees. I can imagine people seeing them in the winter time and thinking that they are blooming at the wrong time of year. It makes me think about natures cycles:-)
By Sharon McKinley on Mar 6, 2007
Michael B is right: I was just there (late February 2007), and wondered that such a microclimate exists in Pittsburgh. But possible, I thought–until I tried to gently pull down a branch to sniff the flowers. Hmm, I guess they won’t be trying my idea of tying on leaves in the spring. Oh, well! What a lovely surprise! Thanks.
By Beautiful Flowering Trees on Mar 4, 2008
These sculptures are nearly as beautiful as the real thing - and a lot easier to care for.
By Alex on Oct 12, 2008
my girlfriend just walked past these (october 2008) and was convinced they were real. she didn’t go up to check. i guessed they were sculpture, and i just found this article describing them. she definitely experienced that “little magic, fairy-tale moment”. i considered that it’s kind of silly — why not plant real magnolias?
but there’s no need for either/or. plant some magnolias around the city, and leave this little sculpture up for its own kind of beauty.