Sky Landscape II is a 3,800-pound, 20-foot tall painted steel sculpture by Louise Nevelson located at the 8th & Walnut Street entrance to the Main Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library. I really love the ways in which it interacts with its surrounding buildings. Each viewing angle yields new juxtapositions.
Given how successful its current site seems, it may surprise you to know that it was commissioned in 1980 by Federated [now Macy's] for the entrance to their 7 West Seventh Street headquarters. In 1993, it was given to the City of Cincinnati and relocated here, where it fits right in.
This is a gorgeous piece and beautifully sited.
Thanks for having it available.
Comment by diana mackown — May 31, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
What’s most interesting to me is that she is part of the junk art movement of the 1960s and 1970s during which artists would literally scan the trash on the streets for objects to integrate into their work.
Now to find her work commissioned to adorn cityscapes is a wonderful way to circle back.
Comment by Kathy Stockman — May 31, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
great stuff. My sis lived in Paris and Firenze for many years and became well acquainted with Louise and company. A few years back I did a CPA tour of Prospect Hill homes…the best was Nell Surber’s, an amazing place on Milton….what with all the original Jim Dine, Nevelson, Red Grooms and everything else…way way cool. That place is like a museum.
Comment by casey — May 31, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
That sculpture was originally installed on 7th Street just west of Vine, on the south sidewalk. I think it was installed as part of the Federated Building in 1979. As I recall people complained about the cramped siting and maybe Federated didn’t really like it, so somehow it got moved to this site.
Comment by citykin — June 1, 2009 @ 8:02 am
Yeah, I was really surprised to find that this wasn’t the original location for this sculpture. It looks so perfectly positioned where it is!
Comment by visualingual — June 2, 2009 @ 8:35 am
i’ve been working on a series of texts about public art in the city for the online journal http://www.aeqai.com
look for a discussion of this piece in one of the upcoming installments.
m.
Comment by Matt Morris — June 2, 2009 @ 3:51 pm