New Season of Urban Trees Coming Soon to the North Embarcadero

Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The Port of San Diego’s year-long public art exhibit, Urban Trees 4, is coming to an end on June 22.  The trees are being removed to make way for the Urban Trees 5 exhibit, set to be dedicated on August 2, 2008. 

Positioned along the North Embarcadero of San Diego Bay from Broadway to Laurel Street, the 30 tree sculptures have piqued the interest of both tourists and locals. There are sleek metal trees, such as “Slice,” the stainless steel and copper creation by Linda Joanou, and a bronze and steel design by artist Alber De Matteis titled “Ascent.”

Other trees promote environmental sustainability, like Nicole David’s recycled rubber palm tree titled, “RT-6A89,” and many others celebrate ocean wildlife. 

To create the Urban Trees, artists were supplied with a 12-foot tall pole placed in a concrete planter to serve as the tree’s base.  The artists were allowed to alter the pole by attaching materials that would create their sculptures.  A loan fee was paid to each artist for the Port to install the trees on the waterfront for a period of one year.  The artwork remains the property of the artist.

Many of the sculptures from Urban Trees 4 are available for purchase from the artists.  Prices range from $5,500 to $60,000.  They are also available on an on-loan basis for display in public, corporate or private collections or settings.  For more information, contact the Port’s Public Art Department at (619) 686-7246. 

Ten urban trees from the previous three Urban Trees exhibits have been purchased and donated to the sculpture gardens at Scripps Memorial Hospitals in La Jolla and Encinitas. 

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors and staff, we are able to offer a beautiful, healing environment during what often times can be a stressful experience for our patients and families,” said Gary Fybel, Chief Executive Officer for Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Other urban trees have found new locations.  One is installed at the Chula Vista Library Civic Center Branch, 365 F Street, another is located at the Chula Vista Nature Center and several have been purchased for installment at private homes. 

The fifth edition of urban trees will feature 31 sculptures.  Some of the standouts include “Break-dancer” by artist Michael L. Barrows.  His artwork personifies a dancer memorializing the 80s urban craze of break dancing.  “Tailwalking Suncatcher” by artist Stephen Fairfield is a 17-foot tall sailfish made of steel with blue plexiglass scales that catch the reflection of the sun.  Frank Mando’s sculpture, titled “Pele, the Goddess of Fire,” is another unique urban tree.  This 15-foot tall, cast aluminum and steel representation of the mythological fire goddess will be sure to catch the eye of passers by.  

For more information on Urban Trees, visit www.portofsandiego.org/public-art.

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.