Curving Arcades (Homage to Bernini) - Tucson, Arizona
Posted by: 
Max and 99
N 32° 13.908 W 110° 56.658
12S E 505247 N 3566130
74 foot steel abstract at the entrance to the University of Arizona
Waymark Code: WM950B
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 06/29/2010
Views: 15
Very large and controversial sculpture located at the east entrance to the University. Even 20 years ago this sculpture raised eyebrows, and people wondered what the heck it was supposed to represent! You can't miss it driving down Campbell: it consists of about 15 inverted pieces that resemble wishbones. The color may appear slightly different depending on the sun position and what direction you face it. It is spread out along the grassy area of the entrance, making it an expansive piece of art.
From the Smithsonian Art database:
Description:
Abstract sculpture consisting of three rows of 16 ft. high metal rectangles which were cut almost to the top and stretched at the bottom and anchored in the ground. The forms resemble wishbones in three curving rows. The sculpture is painted, and when viewed from the east shows three variants of red; when viewed from the west, shows three variants of blue.
Dimensions:
Approx. 16 x 50 x 74 ft
Remarks:
Funded with a National Endowment for the Arts, Art in Public Places grant of $50,000 given in 1980 to the University of Arizona. The inscription on a nearby marker, which reads: Curving Arcades/by Athena Tacha/A gift in October 1981 to the University/of Arizona through funds provided by/The National Endowment for the Arts/The Edward J. Gallagher, Jr./Memorial Bequest/The Richard Grand Foundation/The Janss Foundation. In 1997 the artist noted that the piece had been repainted in 1995(?) using non-metallic reds and blues which she selected.
TITLE: Curving Arcades (Homage to Bernini)
ARTIST(S): Tacha, Athena, 1936- , sculptor.
DATE: 1980-1981.
MEDIUM: Painted Cor-Ten steel.
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 74240010
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
University of Arizona east entrance, at Campbell
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
none
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.