Bronzes for the Blind: White Rhinoceros - Tucson, Arizona - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The Bronze for the Blind Rhino is located at Reid Park's Zoo, and is one of several sculptures designed for the visually impaired to learn about zoo animals. These sculptures are intended to be completely hands-on, and each one includes an informational plaque that includes braille lettering.
The White Rhinocerous is standing, with his head low and slightly turned to the left. The ears and front horn are gold-colored, and add a nice tough to the typically single color bronze sculptures. Like the others, the art piece is a little over a foot wide, about 9 inches tall, and is on top of a 4-foot pillar, at a hands-on height for visitors.

Link to the Reid Park Zoo:
(visit link)

From the Smithsonian Art database:

Description:

A male white rhinoceros stands in profile, his head down and tilted to the front, or proper left, feeding. A curving line of ground stretches from the rhino's mouth between the front legs. The ears extend upward and curve back from the head. The tusks are out from the nose. Skin folds and textures are shown clearly. The sculpture is mounted atop a rectangular base with a slanted top portion.

Dimensions:

Sculpture: approx. 8 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.; Base: approx. 44 x 30 x 18 in.

Inscription:

Mark Rossi (On plaque on upper front of base, in English and in Braille:) Gift from Lee Brooks Thornton/and Mark Rossi/White Rhinoceros signed

Remarks:

The sculpture was a gift from the artist and Lee Brooks Thornton, a pioneer supporter of the Reid Park Zoo. It 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: White Rhinoceros ARTIST(S): Rossi, Mark, sculptor. Sculpture Resource Studio, founder. Desert Crucible Foundry, founder. DATE: 1988 MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze; Base: concrete. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS AZ000592 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

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.

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