Art of the Open Air The Watchers by L. Chadwick
The San Diego Museum of Art unveiled their latest exhibit titled Art of the Open Air. This free exhibit is installed on the Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park and features sculptures by Miro, Rodin, Chadwick, Luis Jimenez and more.
SDMA Executive Director Roxana Velasquez Photo S. Valle
It’s been said that San Diego lacks the culture of cities like New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. After attending the official opening of the newest exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art, Art of the Open Air will decidedly work towards changing this notion of America’s Finest City.
On February 11th San Diego Museum of Art Executive Director, Roxana Velasquez, proudly introduced the public to the museum’s latest project.
“I am delighted that our team has been able to manifest this extraordinary open-air exhibition, allowing visitors to interact with some of the greatest sculptures in our collection while creating a new, public space for art within Balboa Park,” Velasquez said.
The new exhibit was made possible by the crowd-funding campaign #FreeTheArt. The museum raised $250,000 in contributions from Board of Directors Trustees Buzz and Hellen Kinnard, and other major gifts from the community. This money will go towards conservation, installation, security and lighting for these previously-stored art pieces.
I sat under the shade of an umbrella during this un-seasonably hot and sunny day in San Diego, and listened to Councilman Todd Gloria preside over the inaugural ceremony of this exhibit.
“What was once a parking lot, is now a museum,” said Gloria referring to the use of the area prior to its repurposing. The Plaza is now home to seven magnificent works of art that had to be stored away due to lack of proper funding for restoration and display space.
Councilman Todd Gloria at Art of the Open Air Inauguration Photo S. Valle
“These sculptures are some of the most significant works from the Museum’s sculpture collection, many of which have not been viewed by the public in years,” said Anita Feldmen, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Education. “We are thrilled to bring them back on display, where they belong,” Feldman said.
The internationally significant sculptures on display today include: Big Open Skull by Jack Zajac, Odessy III by Tony Rosenthal, Solar Bird by Joan Miro, Mother and Daughter Seated by Franzisco Zuniga, The Prodigal Son by August Rodin, The Watchers by Lynn Chadwick, and Border Crossing / Cruzando el Rio Bravo by Luis Jimenez.
After the inaugural ceremony, Feldman personally led a guided tour of the sculptures, something truly special for the art aficionados like me.
Solar Bird by Joan Miro. The bird is one of Miro’s recurring motifs. This enormous bronze reflects Miro’s wartime experience representing freedom and escsape.
Anita Feldman with Joan Miro’s Solar Bird Photo S. Valle
Joan Miro’s signature on Solar Bird on display at SDMA. Photo by S. Valle
The Prodigal Son by August Rodin
Dante’s Gates of Hell. Rodin Museum in Paris. Photo by S. Valle
Feldman pointed out a very interesting fact about the bronze sculpture by Rodin, The Prodigal Son, that struck a chord with me. She directed our attention to the back side of the sculpture to note the markings that it had once been part of another Rodin master piece: Dante’s Gates of Hell.
This very large work is located at the Rodin Museum in Paris. I visited the Museum in May of 2015, and saw The Gates of Hell. Little did I know that a small piece of that huge project was here in San Diego.
August Rodin’s The Prodigal Son Photo by S. Valle
Each sculpture in this exhibit has its own cement base, and plaques commemorating the people and donors who make their appearance on the plaza possible. Most of these works had been in storage for years because the museum didn’t have the funds to keep up with the maintenance these large pieces require.
These major works of art are now on display outdoors, and they are free for the public to see for the next two years. The fate of these treasures after the two years of funding are over is not known yet.
Take advantage of this incredible free community exhibit, and make it a family activity to learn about our local art and culture in a fun way. Pack the kids, some modeling clay, sketch pads, watercolors and color pencils along with a picnic, and treat your family to Art of the Open Air at Balboa Park.
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