FIRST - Public Art Commissioned for Boise - "Point of Origin" - Boise, ID
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 43° 36.000 W 116° 12.371
11T E 564069 N 4827753
This abstract sculpture by artist John Mason is located outside the Boise Art Museum in Julia Davis Park. It was the first public art piece commissioned by the city of Boise, Idaho.
Waymark Code: WMDZAZ
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 03/12/2012
Views: 5
This rectangular shapes form a visible image for the Boise Art Museum along with several other larger outdoor sculptures. They are arranged in such a way that viewers are invited to move around through them and take a view through each one as through a picture frame. This is also the first piece of public art commissioned by the city of Boise. The museum is located in
Julia Davis Park which was donated by early pioneer of Boise, Tom Davis, in memory of his wife. There are several museums, other sculptures, a zoo, and the
Municipal Rose Garden (largest in the region) within this 87-acre park on the bank of the Boise River.
Adapted from the Smithsonian Art Inventories description:
Three open rectangular forms, each approx. 120 x 204 x 6 in., in an offset triangular arrangement. The surface is painted a flat gray green.
Funded with a National Endowment for the Arts, Art in Public Places grant of $17,500 given in 1978 to the City of Boise. The sculpture was originally titled "Northwest Passage" by the artist, but re-titled because of public controversy.
John Mason, based in Los Angeles, is better known for his work in clay and pottery, using modular designs, not dissimilar to this large outdoor piece. He has had many one-man shows and awards from 1956 to the present.
Some relevant resources:
Boise Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Frank Lloyd Gallery
Art Scene
The Gettty
Jumping in Art Museums