Urban Trees by 29 artists (temporary exhibit - 2004-05)

Artist: Various Artists

Temporary sculpture exhibit: 30 Artistic Tree Sculptures
Location: Along North Embarcadero from Broadway Pier to Hawthorn St.
San Diego, California

November 2003 - February 2005

See all 30 tree sculptures with complete details at the Urban Tree web site.

Art has branched out spectacularly along the San Diego waterfront with the temporary "planting" of 30 whimsical and colorful "Urban Tree" sculptures. The exhibition showcases the creativity, artistry and craftsmanship of 29 mostly local artists, though some entries are from as far away as Washington and Florida. The tree sculptures were installed in November 2003 for a one-year exhibition. They are on view along a one-mile stretch of the North Embarcadero between Broadway Pier and Hawthorn Street.

The exhibition stems from a Port-sponsored temporary sculpture competition. Artists were asked to submit proposals (1/12 scale models) for original sculptures to be loosely based on the tree theme. A minimal stipulation required that artworks be fabricated around or on a 6-inch-diameter, 12 to 15-foot pole (the "trunk") that would be mounted in a concrete planter base. Artists were encouraged to give full reign to their creativity. The result was 107 original and imaginative design submittals. The Public Art Committee selected 30 of these for full-scale fabrication and display.

The tree sculptures range from the fanciful, to the interactive, to the technical. Examples include "A Bird's Playground," in which the artist was assisted by children from San Diego and Tijuana; "Soundshade," featuring a large sheet metal disk that produces a gong sound; and "Solar Illumination," which has solar-powered lights. Some have wind-activated kinetic elements, and others such as the 12-foot giant carrot and "Lizardo," the steel and ceramic chameleon stretch the tree concept altogether.

All artworks are on loan to the Port for the duration of the exhibit, after which they will be available for sale by their respective artists. Potential buyers may contact the artists directly.

The success of this year's Urban Tree project has prompted the Public Art Committee to recommend a second phase of Urban Trees to be installed in the spring of 2005. Look for the Urban Trees II Request for Proposals (RFP) during the summer 2004.