Further Information on the Arch (see post below)

I had to do a lot of Internet searching, but finally came up with some information on the arch I photographed for the post below.

It is called the Solar Arch, and was dedicated in 1985. The artists were William Drexel, who died in 1987, and O. K. Harris. The description, from the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS), is: "An arch with slots cut through the top, so that beams of light illuminate times of the year and hours of the day marked on the sidewalk below the arch."

So my suspicion has been confirmed, and I really must go back to take a better look at this solar calendar.

Public Art Part IV - 4-H Park Arch and The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Near the intersection of 12th and Menaul, across the street from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, is the 4-H Park, with this huge metal arch. I've always admired it as we drove past, but this was the first time I stopped at the park.



Now I'm realizing that I didn't do such a good job of photographing the arch. Once I got home and started looking at the picture of the concrete pad that lies beneath and behind it, I saw that there were some numbers and words carved into it. I need to go back and take some good close-up pictures of those carvings, because I think they have to do with months and days of the year, and that this whole thing might be some kind of sundial or calendar. Maybe some of you can help me with this??? Here is the one picture I took of the concrete, and below that you'll see a section of that photo that I enlarged. I'd love it if one of my readers could figure this all out. And I promise to return to the 4-H Park and capture some better images of the numbers and words.



Leaving the park, I went across the road to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. They are the official interpretive center for the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, and their mission is: "To preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and to advance understanding by presenting with dignity and respect, the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico." Dan and I go there, now and then, for our Saturday morning breakfast.

The art I chose to photograph is only a portion of what is on display, and is only of outside (public) art. There are a number of murals painted on the stucco walls. Note the outdoor oven near the last mural. This is used to make their bread for the restaurant. When the bread is baking, the aroma in the outdoor air is wonderful. If you take the time to go inside, and especially to go through their museum, you'll see more art than you can take in.






This piece is dedicated to "all of the American Indian Veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America."



This metal sculpture is on the street-side wall of the building.


And, I saved my favorite for last. This beautiful bronze statue stands at one of the entrances.




More Albuquerque public art is coming your way soon.

Public Art Part III - Washington Park and the Kolowisi

Washington Park is at the intersection of Park and 10th Streets. The park was developed on the site of the old Washington Junior High School, in the 1990s. Washington Middle School students helped with some of the projects. At the corner of the park stand these three spindle-like mosaic towers. The colors are so vibrant, and each tower has a personality of its own.







This blue and white pillar - the center one - has messages, written by the middle school children, about their neighborhood and their neighbors. One of my favorites (you can see it in the close-up photo below) reads, "When I was 3 years old I'd take the neighbor two eggs and she would cook them up for me. My neighbor made good eggs."



This next one could startle you, if you were walking down the sidewalk at 8th and Lomas, where this big cubist-style snake sits. Its mid-section makes four arches over the sidewalk, through which you can walk. This sculpture is called "Kolowisi," which is the Zuni name for "Plumed Serpent." My understanding is that this serpent used to be red on the outside and orange on the inside, but its current pinkish-purple shade is probably the result of its 26 years of exposure to the New Mexican sunshine.






No! This isn't really a piece of public art. It's just a fireplug with a little graffiti on it. I was just checking to see if any of you are still awake.

Public Art Part II - Tree of Life and Metal Pages

On the corner of Montano and 4th Street NW, with a car wash behind it, and a Dunkin Donuts on it's side, stands this impressive tile mosaic piece, titled Tree of Life. I like the fact that so many of these pieces of art are in very busy, ordinary places; they often provide a sensory surprise, because of their unexpected locations.

According to the plaque at the base, "This artwork recognizes the imagery of early cultures that influenced the peoples of Mexico and New Mexico. The black and white figures are animal images from Native American Mimbres pottery. The colorful figures are images from the Maya culture."


While the front side is curved, the back side of the piece is flat, but just as beautiful.


The next piece of public art I photographed stands on the corner of 5th and Copper, beside the downtown library. It is titled Metal Pages. I love the way the blue of the sky is reflected in the shiny metal. From certain perspectives, it almost looks like clear glass.