Bronzes for the Blind: African Elephant - Tucson, Arizona
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Max and 99
N 32° 12.527 W 110° 55.250
12S E 507460 N 3563580
One of several Bronzes for the Blind sculptures at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson
Waymark Code: WM95JH
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 07/02/2010
Views: 8
This African Elephant sculpture is one of several designed for the visually impaired to learn about zoo animals. They are completely hands-on, and at the right level for all visitors to be able to reach and feel them. Each of the Bronzes for the Blind sculptures also has an informational plaque for both sighted and visually impaired visitors.
The African Elephant is located near the zoo's pachyderm area, and is alongside a much larger bronze sculpture of a baby elephant. Kids love to play on these, but be very careful during the heat of the summer since the surface temperate can be extremely high. There is a shade tree near the smaller elephant sculpture.
The elephant in this sculpture is interacting with a tree, and his trunk is raised up very high. It is slightly larger than most of the other Bronzes for the Blind sculptures since it includes a tree and rock and a very large animal.
From the Smithsonian Art database:
An African elephant stands, its front legs on a rock, with a tree in front and to its proper left. The tree extends upward curving with the elephant's trunk that is raised in the air. The tusk and the trunk are intertwined with the tree. The elephant's proper right ear fans outward and downward close to the elephant's side while the head turns up. The proper left back leg stretches behind the proper right back leg. The entire sculpture is a graceful arc from the proper left back leg to the top of the tree. The sculpture is mounted on a rectangular base with a slanted upper front.
Dimensions:
Sculpture: approx. 22 x 17 x 8 in.; Base: approx. 44 x 30 x 18 in.
Inscription:
Mark Rossi (On plaque on upper front of base, in English and in Braille:) African Elephant signed
Remarks:
The sculpture is part of the Bronzes for the Blind, a project developed by the zoo to offer the blind tactile images of the zoo animals. Each sculpture is placed at hand-level where it can be touched. The project is an ongoing collaboration between the zoo and the artist.
TITLE: Bronzes for the Blind: African Elephant
ARTIST(S): Rossi, Mark, sculptor. Sculpture Resource Studio, founder. Desert Crucible Foundry, founder.
DATE: 1989.
MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze; Base: concrete.
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS AZ000591
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Reid Park Zoo: 1100 S. Randolph Way, Tucson
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
none
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Visit Instructions:
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