Public Art Reaction

Their is many public art anywhere you may walk. A piece of art can be found in a park, in the street or even graffiti on the wall. But most importantly public art is for everyone to see. Some may catch peoples attention and some may walk right by it.

Walking down union square last year I came across a 26- foot tall bronze elephant sculpture named "Gran Elefandret" and it caught my eye. Immediately I just stared at it and was amazed by how realistic it looked and I was also amazed at how the elephant was positioned. It was standing upside down, on its trunk. This elephant sculpture was designed by Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo which was part of his Marlborough Gallery. According to the artist, the elephant is supposed "to show his gravity-defying position". By its '"saggy skin, it's off-killer positioning, and the overturned floppy ears". In my opinion the elephant is supposed to be comical, because in reality a elephant can't stand on its trunk and therefore it is funny to see a sculpture of a elephant standing perfectly balanced, on its trunk.

The artwork interacts with its surroundings because Barcelo, also explained that the bronze elephant is supposed to "resemble a metallic tree". According to Barcelo a tree "looks like a upside elephant, and when you touch a tree it feels like a elephant". The elephant is standing in front of trees, which is supposed to give its surroundings a nature feeling because that is the way that Barcelo explained the elephant is supposed to be representing a tree by its way of positioning. Its also supposed to be an urban work, so it is supposed to have like a city feeling as well, and it definitely gives that vibe due to the sculptures color and its exotic look and meaning. You are most likely to find sculptures like that in the city. This sculpture definitely benefits its surroundings because it shows how a tree and this sculpture can look so different but yet have similar qualities and its so fascinating how both of the trees and elephant are outside in the open so people can see them. If this elephant sculpture was placed in a different place with no trees then people wouldn't be able to see how they are both similar in a way. Also if this sculpture was placed in a private space then not a lot of people would have the chance to see this beautiful, meaning piece of art.

This sculpture has left me completely amazed by the way it looks and its meaning behind. Even though this sculpture was only up for a few months it was by far the best public art i have ever seen here in New York City and it left a great memory on a lot of people who saw it.

Miquel Barcelo
"Gran Elefandret"
Bronze
2008