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Port Recognizes Passing of Renowned Artist

Wednesday, 26 January 2011

An internationally recognized conceptual artist, whose work was featured on Port tidelands, has died.

American artist Dennis Oppenheim passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2011, in New York City of liver cancer. He was 72.

He was known for his large-scale artworks. Many will remember Oppenheim's artwork "Engagement" which featured two large-scale steel and glass engagement rings standing approximately 29 feet high, which was installed at the Laurel Street triangle in San Diego.

The sculpture was on loan to the Port of San Diego from 2007-2009 from the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale. In 2007, the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale recognized Oppenheim with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"He was a prolific internationally recognized artist and we are proud to have been able to exhibit one of his artworks on tidelands," said Yvonne Wise of the Port's Public Art office.

Oppenheim exhibited throughout the world, including works featured in the Tate Gallery in London, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Whitney Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.