April 23, 2015 | Downtown Sacramento, CA
As a part of my Art Gallery Management class, Professor Hitchcock took us around Downtown Sacramento and we viewed public art that he had a hand in procuring. So many stories and it was so interesting to learn more about some pieces that I had taken for granted previously (like stair-rails at the Hyatt Regency).
We then moved outside to towards the front of the Sacramento Convention Center, where one of my favorite of my favorite works from the night was. It included benches alongside the road and two large fountain sculptures by Stephen J. Kaltensach, called "Time to Cast Away Stones" done in 1999. I have driven and walked by this work many times and it was so fantastic to stop and take a long look at what it really was. Lots of photos are below but I think everyone local should really stop and look and read the work the next visit they take to that part of Downtown. It was quite profound and created specifically for being near the Capital in Sacramento.
Professor Hitchcock took us briefly through the Hyatt Regecny to show us an elaborate metal staricase railing, beautifully done with the banisters looking like trees and with leaves and branches intertwining up to the second floor. The sad part of this was that a portion of the metal work was taken out and the metal scrapped, unbeknownst to the important handcraftedness of the work.
Another highlight of the night was visiting the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial (website here), where Professor Hitchcock has his name on a metal plaque thanking him for his work on the project. Very cool to be able to ask questions to a person so closely involved with the piece. Quite a powerful and moving monument, that I may not have walked through and examined had it not been for this class outing.
It was a long night of walking, so I will include pictures below of the other big pieces we got to see. I wish I could include each of the stories Professor Hitchcock was able to provide for each of the works, he is extremely knowledgeable about all the public art in Sacramento and had a hand in most of the procurement and installations.
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Greg Kondos Life on the River, 1985
Oil on canvas |
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Matt Bult Yosemite Falls, 2002
Acrylic on canvas |
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Sacramento State Professor Tom Monteith Late in the Day, 1998
Acrylic on canvas |
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Jian Wang Golden Autumn in Gold Country, 2002
Oil on canvas |
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| Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing #641, 1990 |
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| Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing #641, 1990 |
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| Alan Osborne Ascending, 2009 |
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| Alan Osborne Ascending, 2009 [detail] |
In the middle of the walk, we took a detour in between the Sacramento Convention Center and the Community Center Theater where Professor Hitchcock got to show us about something he has spoken about throughout our semester: "plop art". This term is used for art that is not specifically created for a specific site; a piece that can be picked up and essentially "plopped" at any other place. It was actually quite an unfortunate viewing as there was food and trash strewn about each of the sculptures, most likely by homeless people using the structures as makeshift tables. I felt quite sad for these pieces and the obvious lack of upkeep and appreciation.
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| Eduardo Oropeza La Familia, 1995 |
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| Jun Tsun Tsun Lai Genuine Void And Subtle Possesion, 1999 |
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| Gilbert "Magu" Sanchez Lujan Walking the Dog, 2000 |
This night out with my Art Gallery Management class and Professor Hitchcock was fantastic and I wish I would have documented it aside from just pictures. It was information and stories and local history that should be available to more people, but I am glad that now when I go out with my husband for a date night Downtown, I can blow his mind with all that I know about all the art! :)
