Urban Trees 3 Selections

Tree Under The Sea
James Stone and Rod Bass

Created from a mosaic of glass, copper, steel and cement, this artwork portrays a tree beneath the ocean surface. Representing a coral reef, fanlike vegetation forms the trunk along with a variety of glass fish and sea life.

stoneandglass.com

 

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Puff
Linda Joanou

Magic meets Chinese New Year in style with this three dimensional dragon-like sculpture of colored steel. This friendly and vibrant dragon creates an exotic focal point and welcomes all who come to visit the bustling San Diego Bay.

joanou.com

 

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The Kumeyaay Eshpa Tree
Paul Vauchelet

Made of stainless steel, copper and gold leaf, this sculpture is inspired by the indomutable spirit of San Diego’s indigenous people. The artwork symbolizes rebirth and renewal and hopes to stimulate a desire to learn more about the Kumeyaay people.

vachulet.com

 

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Sea Dragon
Deana Mando

Sea Dragon is a curved construction of epoxy fiberglass over a flexible aluminum tube frame with welded steel supports. The artist has always been fascinated by stories of sea monsters and fantasy creatures. She hopes viewers will feel a similar sense of amazement while in the presence of this urban sea creature.

 

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Geometric Windmill
Tom Brewitz

A blend of circle and square motion elements on a twisted support stand make up this stainless steel kinetic sculpture. The rotation of the shapes inspired the ‘windmill’ portion of the sculpture’s title. Brushed surfaces combine with sparkle and matte surfaces to give Geometric Windmill a dazzling appearance in motion or at rest.

cornermark.com/kinetic

 

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Rising From The Deep
Prem Makeig

Imagine being able to have an underwater view while resting on dry land. This piece gives viewers that ability by recreating the image of bubbles rising beneath the ocean surface. The artist was inspired by the familiar image of a crashing wave and showing what lies beneath the surface.

premmakeig.com

 

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Copper Urban Destination Tree
John "Janos" Szakacs

This sculpture acts as an informational tree, complete with interesting San Diego sites. The copper figures appear as "fruits" to tell visitors about places to visit. At the base, a mariner’s compass provides direction and distance. Copper sheet and foil will give this tree a natural patina with age.

 

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Pescado de Vida
Matt Turnbull

This sculpture’s name means "Fish of Life" in Spanish. It’s symbolic of sealife as well as those who depend on the sea to make a living. The whimsical and colorful fish is a reminder that balance is critical to the survival of both. The sculpture was created using wire mesh, rebar and industrial foam.

 

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Skyartis Arbor
Judy Hale

Inspired by San Diego’s downtown skyline, this tree replicates the neon green lights of Emerald Plaza and elements of many downtown projects. It stands over 17 feet high and was crafted using granite, steel and acrylic.

urbantreedesign.com

 

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Make Like a Tree and Leaf
Leslie Perlis & Terry Douglas

This sculpture features large oversized leaves made of stained glass and steel emerging from a textured steel trunk. Sunlight passing through the glass and bevels create a sparkling array of prisms and colors. The artists hope passersby will touch the features and textures of the metal.

leslieperlis.com

 

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Remember… When Fish Were Fat and Buttery and the Water Was Crystal Clear
Kent Kraber

This sculpture recalls the time of clear water and kelp beds abundant with large fish and sea creatures. It’s created from steel and copper and features sheepshead, garibaldi, kelp bass, octopus and yellowtail.

kraberizedmetals.com

 

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Marlin Tree
Frank Mando

The artist remembers a spectacular moment when a Marlin jumped out of the water. The moment captured here is his impression of how it may have looked beneath the surface just seconds before the jump. This tree is constructed of swirl-sanded aluminum and painted steel.

 

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Pinnacle
John Koehler

The steady and smooth movement of time, as if it were a soft spoken sound or a slight breeze, is represented by this tree. The sculpture is a four dimensional curve that moves around a fixed axis. It’s constructed of polished and painted stainless steel.

jonkoehler.com

 

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Calderberry Tree
Amos Robinson

This tree pays homage to Alexander Calder, America’s premier kinetic artist. Currents along the Embarcadero will bring the tree to life through the gentle motion of its articulated branches. Its bright colors will delight the eye.

amosrobinson.com

 

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Sol Searcing
Alber De Matteis

The sculpture, made of stainless steel and bronze, celebrates the natural beauty of San Diego Bay. The whales featured in this pieces are catching the last rays of sun on their way South. The sound of the waves hold memories of the quest that brought us so far west.

 

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Sunrise-Sunset
Becky Guttin & Salo Saul

This colorful sculpture brings to mind the beautiful colors of nature. It shows the colors of a sunset on one side and the colors of a sunrise on the other. This cheerful piece, constructed of glass and ceramic tiles, is designed to make everyone who sees it just a bit happier.

savag.com

 

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Green Fire
Robert Verhees

Crafted of stainless steel and blown glass, this 16 foot tall sculpture captures the feeling, movement and emotion evoked by wind and fire. Its bare, windward side shows the destructive nature of fire. The green glass on its opposite side represents resilient branches of life, hanging on as nature tests their strength.

vfivestudios.com

 

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Kelp Man
David "DJ" Brelje

This sculpture was influenced by the artist’s long time love for the ocean near San Diego. The fluidity of kelp in its natural environment and the artist’s studies of classical Greek art combined to create the inspiration for Kelp Man.

 

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Solar Cactus
Louis Long

Lustrous by day, illuminated by night, this sculpture symbolizes San Diego’s arid environment. Solar-powered light forms radiant spines through perforations in the cactus’ pads. Modeled after the familiar Prickly Pear cactus, the tree speaks to the region’s need for energy through alternative sources.

solarcactus.com

 

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Sunset Tree
Holly Vermilyea

This vibrant sculpture was inspired by the many colors found in San Diego’s beautiful and abundant sunsets. The tree was painstakingly crafted by wrapping thousands of hand-strung beads around a molded base. The result is an intriguing mosaic of color and texture.

 

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The Fisherman
Stephen Fairfield

Inspired by the beauty and majesty of the Great Egret, this 13-foot tall sculpture pays homage to the noble bird. Constructed of expanded metal to give a feeling of feathers and airiness, the tree casts interesting patterns on the ground and on visitors who stand under its partially outstretched wings.

 

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Hiss-Tree
Keith Lamberth

This eye-catching sculpture evokes the metamorphosis of a snake into and out of a tree. The piece, which demonstrates contrast and blending, shows a free-flowing and colorful snake intertwined with an old, gnarled, dull-colored tree. It was created from metal mesh, foam and painted fiberglass.

 

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Bonsai
David Boyer

A wind-driven kinetic sculpture with a shape reminiscent of a gnarled Japanese bonsai tree, this tree provides an ever-changing dance of movement, light, and shadow – a kaleidoscopic canopy of motion. Precision ground bearings ensure movement of the three paddlewheels at the top of the sculpture in even the slightest breeze.

boyersculpture.com

 

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Seaweed Tree
Steven L. Rieman

The delicate balance between advancing technology and preserving the natural environment inspired this 15-foot wind-activated sculpture. Composed of weathered and stainless steel, its arms and disks float gracefully on the breezes, as though riding the swells of the sea while practicing Tai Chi.

riemansculpture.com

 

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Candy Land Tree
Malcolm Jones

Inspired by the familiar CandyLand game created in 1949 by Eleanor Abbot while she recovered from polio in San Diego, this tree is appropriately at home in our town. The city, with its fine weather and limitless attractions is often called the ultimate playground. The tree should evoke sweet memories for everyone who comes to play in San Diego.

 

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Invasion of Time
Kate Witsiepe

From afar, this sculpture looks like it’s landing from outer space. But, from a closer vantage point, it’s clear the tree is a clock facing downwards. This unique piece shows no one can escape time; it always seems to hover overhead, unifying our world and giving us age, history and future.

 

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Tangerine Caterpillar Dream
Doug Snider and Sara Storm

This playful and colorful tree adds a touch of fantasy and whimsy to the waterfront. A totemic sculpture, it stands 15 feet tall and was created using clay, stoneware copper and ordinary exterior household paints.

dsniderceramics.com

AP: $13,500

 

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T(H)REE UP
Mitchell Gaul

Inspired by 20th century constructivist sculpture and applied geometry, this membrane tensile structure could be many things: a weather vane, sail, kite, bridge or building. The title refers to the three points in space that suspend the membrane. This artwork hopes to increase appreciation of the three-dimensional form.

 

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The Maypole Tree
Fritzie Urquhart

This sculpture brings to life the spirit, purpose and promise of the ancient maypole. Constructed using over 45 yards of marine fabric, 24 silver bells, a turbine ventilator and a solar light, it comes with a warning: Couples who dance around the Maypole Tree could experience happiness, have many children and find everlasting love.

fritzie.com

 

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Wave Tree
William Chris Brown

This stylish tree uses wood shaped into the pattern of a wave. The sculpture was inspired by a multidimensional infusion of elements. It combines nautical elements like masts, waves, and the wood that’s used to build ships with design and pattern, forming a sculpture that flows and forms gracefully and effortlessly.

AP: $9,000

 

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