Agnes R. Katz Plaza Sculptures by Louise Bourgeois

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While the sculptures in this plaza are the work of Louise Bourgeois, the plaza itself was a collaboration between the artist, landscape architect Daniel Urban Kiley, and Theater Square’s architect Michael Graves.

The 25 foot high fountain that takes center stage here has heated water, allowing it to be one of the few fountains in the city that stays on all year. Even the cold winter we had for the 2013–14 season wasn’t enough to stop the water from flowing. The Pittsburgh hills inspired its shape, and in New Landscape Design, Robert Holden says the surrounding pool edge is intentionally small so that viewers can get close to the sculpture."

A Post Gazette article from the dedication of the plaza in 1999 (written by Caroline Abels) quotes Ms Bourgeois’ assistant as saying that the artist intended the two streams of water to represent a couple whose lives mesh.

Around the plaza there are three different pair of benches in the shape of huge eyes. There are other simple granite benches throughout the parklet, but these are well, (forgive me) eye catching. While they are not unique to this plaza any longer, they were originally designed specifically to complement this fountain. In 2006 the artist donated copies to the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle, to be positioned around another fountain that she designed. Ms Bourgeois made several versions of eye shaped benches. Eye Benches IV (which she loaned to New Orleans in the wake of Katrina), have lights in the eyeballs.

Eyes were apparenty a prominent theme in Ms Bourgeois art over the years. We found a quote by the artist in a blog edited by Jason Farago where she said: Eyes relate to seduction, flirtation, and voyeurism

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We were unable to find any reference to a title for the fountain. In fact the only reference we found to a title for the benches were in the articles about the Seattle sculpture park, where they are named Eye Benches I, II, and III. The titles for the artwork might have been overshadowed here by the name of the Plaza. Agnes R. Katz plaza was named after a local supporter of the arts. Her children donated much of the funding for the plaza and did so in her honor.

A Park full of Murals by Jeremy Raymer

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There's a small park tucked in between buildings along Butler St where artist Jeremy Raymer has surrounded you with murals. On the left side is the black and white image shown above. Along the back wall there are murals of a bear and an eagle, and the right side wall has a very colorful mural of a child.

It creates a great spot to relax and escape.

Update: Artist Matt Gondek came back to town to collaborate with Jeremy Raymer on the Exploding Demeter Mural that replaced the image on the eastern wall in this plaza.

Old Frick Environmental Center Mural

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Two fellow cyclists alerted us to this mural. It’s unlikely we would have stumbled onto it ourselves anytime soon as it’s on the back of the burned out Frick Environmental Center. The trail that runs behind the building seems more of a hiking (and perhaps mountain biking) trail, but not one we would normally ride on for our city mural searches.

Photo supplied by Paul Heckbert

With the information from our friends, we arrived at the park entrance and walked the trail that led to the back of the building. We don’t know how much longer this building might be here. The fire that destroyed it was in 2002, so we were surprised that what was left was still standing almost 12 years later. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy now manages the Frick Environmental Center. We found nothing indicating if or when they might demolish the old structure, but they are in the process of designing and funding a new one. Their goal is for the new center to meet the standard for both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and for Living Building Challenge (LBC) certifications.

Obviously the artwork isn’t in the best condition. We could find no information for this old mural. The designs are cut out of plywood, painted and attached to the wall. No signatures or dates were evident anywhere on the artwork.

We did find that the turtle’s name is Bob, and that the deer has good taste.

Mural of a Park Scene by multiple artists

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One of two murals done in this neighborhood in 2013 that was sponsored by the Green Team of the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation (OPDC), and executed by local youth with the leadership and guidance of the MLK Community Mural Project.

According to the OPDC newsletter, the residents wanted a tranquil scene, and this design produced a very peaceful view. A snapshot of a day in a park. Perhaps Schenley Park?