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 We the People - Gallup, New Mexico Posted by:  Max and 99
N 35° 32.040 W 108° 43.773
12S E 705844 N 3934635
110 foot steel wall-type sculpture located in Gallup's City Park
Waymark Code: WM96GG
Location: New Mexico, United States
Date Posted: 07/06/2010
Views: 8
This is an expansive, detailed, and wonderful sculpture located in Gallup on the north side of I-40. City Park hosts the We the People sculpture, a walking trail/fitness stations, footbridge to a memorial, train car, and numerous pieces of art work.
We the People is an amazing sculpture since it consists of so many wonderfully interesting pieces. The main component is a 110 foot semi-circular wall of numerous silhouettes of figures. All along the wall are cut-outs of people: all sorts of ages, sizes, interactions, and activities. It is a sight to see!
In the interior of the semi-circle is a collection of pieces that I describe as someone at a podium, with figures that appear to be students, and they are each holding music-type stands with single-word inscriptions on the stands. Behind the figure at the podium is one of the components of the sculpture, with several different single-word cutouts in the walls.
To access the park, take the I-40 exit to Ford Dr./Myamora/Bataan Memorial Dr. to the north side of I-40. Take the first left, on Joseph M. Montoya Blvd. and the sculpture will be on your left hand side at the park. Parking is plentiful. Across the street to the north is the Playground of Dreams, a humongous new playground area for kids.
From the Smithsonian Art database:
Description:
A large interactive architectural sculpture consisting of a semicircular wall with silhouettes of cut out figures suspended 3 inches behind it to allow light through. Within the semicircular wall's space are empty chairs, 100 boulders, plants, grass, a large scale-like structure, and figures standing alone and as a group at lecterns with inscriptions.
Dimensions:
Approx. H. 8 ft. x L. 310 ft.
Inscription:
(On first panel of wall, incised:) 1993/1994/(copyright symbol) (Next to dates and copyright symbol, incised:) (Large letter "A")LVAREZ/RMONDO (Following next on wall, incised:) "WE THE PEOPLE" (On side of scale-like structure, incised:) (Image of fetus)/HUMAN/NATURE (On other side of scale-like structure, incised:) (Image of sun)/HUMAN/KNOWLEDGE signed
Remarks:
The artist solicited private funding for the sculpture. According to the artist, the sculpture commemorates "free speech, pluralism, democracy, and our coexistence with the environment." Democracy is represented by 16 empty chairs, decision making by a scale and a fetus, and pluralism by the 113 figures involved in various activities. Gallup citizens were used as models and a local bank president was used as the model for the Abe Lincoln-like figure who points to a young girl.
TITLE: We the People
ARTIST(S): Alvarez, Armando, sculptor.
DATE: 1994.
MEDIUM: Cut steel, concrete, sandstone boulders, grass, and plants.
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS NM000170
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
City Park, S. side of Montoya Blvd, just west of Ford/Myamura.
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
When I called the City of Gallup to find out where Myamura Park was, I was told there is no Myamura Park, which is where the database says it is located. However, there are conflicting reports on the name of the park where the sculpture is located.
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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.
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