Art at NorthPark Center

Mark di Suvero, Ad Astra, painted steel, 2005

NorthPark Center opened in Dallas in 1965.  I moved to Dallas with my family in 1969.  I was instantly in awe of NorthPark mall the first time my mom drove us into the city from the suburb of Richardson.  All of these years later I am still in awe of NorthPark Center, and since I live just a few freeway exits south I visit the Center all the time!

Barry Flanagan, Large Leaping Hare, gold leaf over bronze, on painted tubular-steel base, 1982

Ad Astra and Large Leaping Hare are my favorite sculptures in the Center.  Flanagan's Hares are so joyous to me.  I love seeing his sculptures at the art fairs when they are available.

Andy Warhol, silk screen prints

The Warhol prints are some of my earliest memories of art in the Center.  I didn't take any visual art classes in school after the middle grades.  The art at the Center was really my only connection to fine art until I was in my twenties.

Antony Gormley, Three Places, lead, fiberglass, and plaster, 1983

These early lead works are some of the first Gormley sculpted in which he used his own body as the model. Gormley's website states "In Three Places the body cases completely enclose the internal form, making it hermetic. The pieces identify three basic body postures - lying, sitting, and standing."  NorthPark Center is a perfect setting for this sculpture.  The Center is hermetically sealed from the external elements, and one can find thousands of items to enclose their own body while lying, sitting, or standing.

Frank Stella, Washington Island Gadwall (Exotic Birds), crayon, enamel and glitter on aluminum, 

1980 - 81

This piece is huge at almost 12 feet by 19 feet and it curves almost 2 feet off of the wall.

It is hung 10 feet off of the floor, if not higher.  Hard to photograph well, but it certainly demands attention in person!

Joel Shapiro, 20 Elements, wood and casein paint, 2005

There are many photos of this sculpture on the web.  This is my usual view of the Shapiro as I make my way through the Center.  The plants are constantly changed throughout the year.

Jim Dine, The Field of the Cloth of Gold, painted bronze, 1987 - 88

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Corridor Pin, Blue, stainless steel and painted aluminum, 1999

The Center completely surrounds a 1.4 acre landscaped garden named CenterPark.  

Jonathan Borofsky, Hammering Men, mechanized painted steel plate and Cor-Ten steel, 1984 - 85

There are five of these giant hammering sculptures in this area of the Center.  I believe there is at least one other non-moving Hammering Man outside on the outer perimeter of the Center.  The mechanical sounds these sculptures make add a counterpoint to the cacophony of human voices that echo through the Center, adding yet another artistic element to the experience.

Anish Kapoor, The World Turned Outside In, polished stainless steel, 2003

collection of Louis Vuitton

NorthPark Center began as the brainchild of real estate developer Raymond Nasher.  When the Center first opened in 1965 it was the largest climate-controlled retail center in the world. Raymond and his wife, Patsy, began collecting art around the same time NorthPark Center was being built.  Nasher later gave the lead gift for the creation of the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Business Council for the Arts: On My Own Time 2011

I visited NorthPark mall today to see the 2011 On My Own Time art exhibit sponsored by North Texas Business Council for the Arts. This is the 19th annual installment of this jurored amateur competition that features the artistic talent of North Texas business professionals.  This exhibition opened September 18 and runs through October 2, 2011.  I saw many photographs with painting, drawing, and sculpture mixed in.  Here are a few of the works that caught my eye:

Lisa Jones, Don't Look Back!, paint of canvas

UT Southwestern Medical Center

I'll start with Lisa Jones because she stopped by Ro2 Art gallery yesterday and told me that she had work in On My Own Time.  I had not realized the exhibition was up. Thank you, Lisa.

David Schulze, Gate House at Mabel Dodge, oil on canvas

DART

Of course this one caught my eye.  It is by my very good friend, David Schulze, who not only paints but is also a lawyer for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit.  I have one of David's paintings in my collection.  I don't recall, however, David telling me about this exhibition.

Norman Kary, Constillation, mixed media

IBM

Another Dallas artist friend.  I posted a pic of another of Norman Kary's works in my post "Meltdown" 2011 Annual MAC Membership Exhibition.

Doug Lott, Twin Cubes, sculpture

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Lott's sculpture looks like folded paper on a wood base, but not sure since the card stated only "sculpture".  It caught my eye amongst the other objects because it resembles sculpture that I live with daily.  Not the same, but similar.

Tamara Wascovich, Red Balloon, mixed media

The Art Institute of Dallas

Vivid colors. Sweet face of a child. Red is quite literal.  Balloon is only imagined.

Richard Wright, Grain View, sculpture

Vinson and Elkins

Drawing. Paint. Hand carved wood. Folk Art in the mall with di Suvero and Dine.

Alecia Wortham, Mini Mickey, sculpture

Ben E. Keith

This one caught my eye because it was practically hidden behind a fluffy creche 'sculpture'.  The On My Own Time rules for artwork that will not be shown include:
"#2. Works of art that are not suitable for a family venue, including viewing by young children"

this one apparently barely made it into the show.  I bet the fig leaf was added later and then the sculpture was strategically placed behind a larger and fluffier sculpture.  I can't tell if Mini Mickey is carved stone or cast bronze, but it does seem to be well crafted.

Patrick Perez, Alamo Plaza, enhanced photography

Ben E. Keith

The Alamo Plaza hotel courts was torn down earlier this year.  It was a cool old place that had long outlived Dallas' rebuild it and they'll come back mentality.  I was glad to see this reminder.