Super Mario's Art: Fine Art in the Fast lane: On Display in Orange County: Modern and Contemporary Sculpture, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, California

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

On Display in Orange County: Modern and Contemporary Sculpture, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, California

On Display in Orange County: Modern and Contemporary Sculpture , the exhibition revealed the fascinating process of commissioning and creating 12 remarkable sculptural works that are now on display in Orange County in the South Coast Metro area, an important corridor for art between Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Plaza.

Organized by independent curator Bonnie Rychlak, former curator at the Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, the exhibition explores how a number of these site-specific works were created—from conceptual sketches and blueprints to models and finished sculptures—and offers a context that deepens the experience of viewing the sculptures themselves, which are all located within easy walking distance. Photographs, artist’s renderings, maquettes, videos and archival materials survey these works, made by a roster of sculptors that includes some of the most influential artists of the twentieth century: Jean Dubuffet, Joan Miró, Isamu Noguchi, Richard Serra, James Huntington, Charles O. Perry, Tony Smith, Henry Moore, George Rickey, Aiko Miyawaki, Richard Lippold and Marion Sampler.

“From Richard Serra’s scale model of his incredibly large Connector sculpture, to the photographs of Joan Miro’s Oiseau, this exhibition explores the fascinating and often lengthy process through which the artists create sculptures that were commissioned to embellish public spaces,” stated Ms. Rychlak. “This contextual exhibition of iconic post-war-era sculptures is a public invitation to learn about and enjoy these impressive works of art on display at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Plaza.”

The sculptures featured in the exhibition were purchased or commissioned by Henry T. Segerstrom, Managing Partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, to be displayed publicly and made accessible to pedestrians visiting or working in Orange County.

“I am delighted that so many people will be able to learn about the creative process behind these wonderful works of art and then simply walk over to see sculptures themselves,” stated Henry T. Segerstrom, the cultural philanthropist who for more than 30 years has been building the cultural landscape of Orange County. “This exhibition reflects our ongoing and deep commitment to bringing top-tier art to enrich the lives of those living, working and visiting in Southern California.”