Sunday, April 18, 2010

Mosaic Monday



Mr. Dragon and I headed over to the beautiful Rice University campus to see the seven James Surls sculptures that are visiting for six months. The public exhibition, "Magnificent Seven: Houston Celebrates Surls," features monumental bronze and steel outdoor sculpture, some of which were unveiled and exhibited along New York's Park Avenue last year.
Ranging between 750 and 2,200 pounds, the sculptures include Surls' signature forms of flowers, diamonds and eyes. The Rice Public Art Program joined with the Houston Arts Alliance to sponsor the exhibition.



Mosaic Surls Sculptures at Rice


Surls has deep roots in the Houston arts community. Among other endeavors, he taught at the University of Houston and helped create Lawndale Art Center, a nonprofit alternative space for the exhibition of contemporary works in all media, which helped launch Houston as a significant player in the national art scene. He and his wife now live in Colorado.




Mosaic Surls Sculptures at Rice



"I like to take things that you see in the natural world and cast them in a new light," Surls said. "I like to make art of the things we see in the natural world that are repeated over and over again, like the spiral -- it's in a baby's cowlick, a blowing seed, the wind."

(Information and quote from Rice University News Media.)

I was in such a hurry to get this posted that I forgot one of the most important parts: Mosaic Monday is hosted by the lovely (and forgiving) Mary at The Dear Little Red House. Be sure to visit to see the other participants.

24 comments:

Carole said...

I love sculptures like that. Wouldn't it be cool to have one in your yard?

When we drove up to Seattle last year we got the chance to see all the sculptures in the city park there. It was really cool. There was one of a giant typewriter eraser. Sooner or later no one is going to know what those are! lol

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

I love these sculptures. They almost look like windmills. Wish I could see them in person.

EG CameraGirl said...

Your mosaics are lovely. I like the way you've photographed the sculptures and placed them in the mosaics.

{oc cottage} said...

What great shots!!

m ^..^

Bobbi Ann said...

Wonderful mosaics!

A Garden of Threads said...

I would love anyone of those sculptures in the garden. Wonderful mosaics.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Very pretty! Thanks for sharing your great photos with us.

Dorothy Borders said...

How very interesting. I must try to get down to Rice to see this exhibit. Thanks for posting about it.

DVArtist said...

This is a great way to spend the after noon. Thanks for sharing it all with us.
Nicole/Beadwright

Judy Wise said...

Houston is on my bucket list. The Menil Collection, Cy Twombly and the Rothko Chapel are just 3 of the treasures there. Lucky you!!

Flory said...

nice mosaic... and a great experience too! have a nice week!

thanks for visiting my blog and also, you might want to pass by again to join my first giveaway... a photo print of your choice!
here's the link:

http://www.florysphotography.com/2010/04/my-summer-giveaway-is-here.html

thanks!
flory

eileeninmd said...

Looks like a nice way to spend the day. I love the cool looking sculptures.

nonizamboni said...

Now that's what I call organic sculpture! Thanks for sharing this artist and his beautiful work--Houston must be proud.
p.s. I just finished Yann Martell's new book: Beatrice and Virgil and thought you might find it worth a read too as Virgil is a howler monkey.
Happy week!

Amanda at 32˙North said...

It seems monumental to move such large sculptures around! Wonderful that they can have a broader audience.

Amanda

ellen b. said...

Great mosaics. Isn't it good to get out and enjoy these types of exhibits? Have a great week!

Janet said...

It's amazing to me that sculptures of that size can be transported around the country for shows....but lucky for you they can be. Beautiful pieces!

My Dream Canvas said...

Very interesting sculptures. Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog.

Anya said...

Love your mosaics
you are very creative :))))))

Anonymous said...

Love them! They remind me of flower petals or pinwheels or...They're so cool! Thanks for sharing. RYc: I think next week will be Boston's Chinatown. hehe

Barb said...

Hi Snap,
I did not know of Suris, but see he is from CO. Also, there is a private residence in my neighborhood that has a sculpture in this style - I wonder if it's a Suris? I'll ask if I ever see the homeowners outside.

Mary said...

Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing at MM. :)

Ebie said...

These are beautiful sculptures. They look like flower petals.

Your mosaic is well put together. Lovely!

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Looks like a beautiful campus and the sculptures are just impressive. I bet they look even better in person.
Nice shots.
Darryl and Ruth : )

Kim Mailhot said...

Amazing ! I can just imagine the shadows cast by these awesome creations. Thanks for sharing the beauty you found.
Hugs !