Take a Tour of the 2007 Sculpture on the Grounds at Civic Center Park

The exhibit will be available for area residents young and old to explore until Oct. 15. Self-guided tour maps are available on the first floor of Glenview Mansion and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre lobby. Call 240-314-8681 for more information.

This temporary exhibit is part of the Art in Public Places Program and is sponsored by the Recreation and Parks Department.

#1

"Fright"
Steel
Don Herman, Potomac, Md.

Artist’s statement: “‘Fright’ is a 7-foot, abstract steel sculpture. It is meant to express the animal or human emotion of fear or fright, not by any facial expression, but by the tension found in the arch of its form and the way its extremities reach out. The viewer can see parts of “Fright” where the skeleton actually shows through the torn, damaged skin, as if an injury has already occurred. The skin is imperfectly ground so that some parts are shiny and some parts are dull and dark. A clear lacquer is applied to protect the steel. It is suggested that the viewer circle the sculpture to view it from several angles. Sometimes it will appear to be an abstract of a human form. Sometimes it will appear to be an  abstract of an animal or even insect form. It seems to change right before one's eyes.”

#2

"The Cycle" 
Painted Steel
Hanna Jubran, Grimesland, N.C.

Artist’s statement: “‘The Cycle’ is from a series of works I have been creating for the past five years. This work represents the cycle of the seasons (summer and fall) and the
four elements (earth, water, wind and fire). The orange color represents warmth, heat and growth. This is a more universal meaning. The overall form represents a gate that has opened and is pivoting on the earth. The two forms are in opposition to each other and are placed to create a dynamic sculptural composition. The contrast of the steel and the orange color as well as the various symbolic forms is incorporated in the sculpture to maximize the composition and harmony.”

#3

“A Few Degrees From Plumb and Square” 
Fiberglass & Polished Aluminum
Bill Wood, Fairfax, Va.

Artist’s statement: “Every day we are exposed to a myriad of visual images. Most we recognize - a car, a house, a tree - and we don’t give them a second thought. All too often we take the same approach to the images that are not familiar. My goal is to try to provide a visual experience that requires the viewer to stop and question what he has just seen. Simple shapes that may appear to be solid, cube-like structures, viewed from another angle are not solid at all. In addition, the reflection in the mirror makes them seem to be larger than possible and at the same time blend into their surroundings. Sound confusing?
Perhaps a second look is in order.”

#4

“Monument of Music” 
Rusted Coated Steel and Stainless Steel
David Hubbard, Silver Spring, Md.

Artist’s statement: “‘The Monument of Music’ is fabricated out of stainless steel and rusted mild steel, which is coated with Val Oil. I have taken care of outdoor sculptures for 20 years and I try to make sculptures that do not require much upkeep. I am also interested in natural patinas of different kinds of metals. Usually metal workers will avoid welding disparate kinds of metals together because of electrolysis hastens corrosion between some kinds of metals but stainless steel, which is chemically inert, does not do that. I find the color of the rusted steel when it is coated to be quite beautiful so it was natural for me to want to weld them together, ‘The Monument’ series, of which the sculpture is one, came about because there are so many monuments around Washington, D.C., to so many people and places that I thought, why not make an abstract monuments to everyday things like water and music and flight? There are four different pieces in ‘The Monument’ series now and there may be more in the future.”

#5

“Landing”
Urethane & Stainless Steel
Cecilia Lueza, Miami, Fla.

Artist’s statement: “The sculpture is an interactive one in the sense that it rotates on its axis, thanks to the design of the base and method of mounting. Installed outdoors, the sculpture follows the direction of the wind at all times and the public can gently rotate it if they please, adding to the experience. I create figurative sculptures that rest between reality and myth with a focus on color and shape. The pieces are mostly subjective with an element of simplification or slight abstraction. I am interested in a dynamic interaction with the viewer, allowing a personal exploration of the work on a physical level. ‘Landing’ was inspired by the picture of a little girl playing in the park. Through the whimsical and playful female figure of ‘Landing,’ I point out the concepts of femininity innocence and freedom.”