Port Art Showcased in Nationwide Publication

Port Art Showcased in Nationwide Publication

Wednesday, 21 November 2007

The Port’s Urban Trees exhibit is featured in “American ArtParades,” a recently published 200-page hardcover art book. “American ArtParades” is published annually and is a photographic chronicle of public art exhibitions from 45 cities across the United States. “American ArtParades” goes behind the scenes to capture the vision of community art projects. The community art project trend began in the summer of 1999 with “Cows on Parade™ in Chicago.” This exhibition featured over 300 life-sized fiberglass cows, hand-painted by local artists, which were found grazing in the parks and lounging on sidewalks throughout Chicago.

The Port’s first Urban Trees project featured 30 original sculptural works of public art, each designed and constructed by a different artist. The current Urban Trees exhibit can be seen on the North Embarcadero along scenic San Diego Bay. The exhibit extends for a half mile along Harbor Drive from Broadway to Hawthorn Street.

Several art projects grace public spots on member cities’ shorelines. One of the prominent undertakings of the Port’s art program is "Unconditional Surrender," a 25-foot sculpture that brings to life a famous black-and-white image of a sailor kissing a young nurse in Times Square on Aug. 14, 1945. The image captures the spontaneous eruption of joy and euphoria that swept a war-weary nation when the public announcement was finally made that World War II was over.

The Port’s Public Art Program was created in 1996 to promote a healthy, vibrant atmosphere that contributes to the quality and identity of the region. The Port enacted the first “percent for art” program in San Diego County and now dedicates one half of one percent of its projected revenues each year toward a public art fund that is used for the acquisition and maintenance of public artworks on Port tidelands.

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