This picture above, was definitely taken in the Garden of my fathers house in Greenwich before all the sculpture was moved to Washington, D.C. to be housed in The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.....
This is a sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro---It is called "Sphere Number 6" and below is a picture of it's newer home after the Sculpture Garden Renovation at The Hirshhorn took place. It is a gorgeous piece!
I always loved this particular 'sphere', and many many years ago---sometime in the late 1960's, I bought a tiny 'sphere' by the same artist, that sits in my living room. Mine is one of an edition of three---This one above, is Unique, as far as I know.....Here is a picture of the big one below, as it looked in the outdoor Garden at The Hirshhorn, when in first opened in early October of 1974.
It's not the greatest picture unfortunately---it is hiding somewhat behind another sculpture, but....it is the only picture that I took of it that October day in 1974. And here below is my small 'sphere' as it sits in my living room........
I LOVE this man Arnaldo Pomodoro's work! And if I could afford it, I would buy more. I'm just grateful I bought this little one when I did, 41 years ago....!
Another favorite sculpture of mine in the collection, is this Cardinal by Giacomo Manzu. There are actually two different Cardinals---maybe even more, and I loved them all......The picture above is how this particular Cardinal looked in The Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. back in 1974, and the one below is how it is placed since that Renovation in the 1980's.....(At least I think it was the 1980's.....)
It looks better in the second picture with some greenery behind it......And below.....How it looked in my father's garden at the house in Greenwich....
And below, some pictures of one of the other Manzu Cardinals as they lived in Greenwich......
I know I am biased, but I always loved the way these Sculptures looked in Greenwich---They are so elegant and peaceful, standing next to the house and with the trees around them.
I preferred these locations in the Garden in Greenwich better than at The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden---at least, I prefer them to the way they looked in The Sculpture Garden at the Opening of the Museum back on October 4th, 1974. There are many more pictures of some very great great Art and I will be posting them soon....More To Come........
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I really liked the spheres and am so glad you have one.
Those cardinals are facinating. I know you enjoyed them at your father's home but now at the Museum and Sculpture Gardens, so many more will get to appreciate them and you know they will be safe.- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 5:31:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
What amazes me about sculpture is that eh artist has to complete envision the finished product when confronted with a nondescript piece of rock or metal. The whole process from "rock to Cardinal" is incomprehensible to me.
Cheers.- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 8:56:00 AM PST
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I'll have to make a point of going through the entire sculpture garden the next time I go to D.C. I've never seen the entire thing. If I see any of these pieces I'll take pictures for you.
- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 11:40:00 AM PST
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Those spheres are truly amazing. I must get my loupe to try and get a closer look. I will try to feel the touch of it with my mind.
- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 12:35:00 PM PST
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I love looking at sculptures... the work the artists lovingly put into them is amazing.
- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 12:36:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Good grief. i must learn to edit comments for spelling and grammar. Specifically, the "eh" is "the." It should be "completely" in line two.
I'm so ashamed.
Cheers.- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 12:39:00 PM PST
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I love the cardinal in front of the conifer in Greenwich. The contrast between the texture of the tree and the sculpture is wonderful.
How lucky to have had these in your life, and how wonderful to share them with the world.- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 1:40:00 PM PST
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Thanks for all the info you left in my comments box about Hirshhorn estate. Steve, to whom you addressed your comment, is not the author of The Pagan Sphinx. I am. Nice to meet you!
Ciao,
Gina- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 2:17:00 PM PST
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Amazing!love your small sphere!
- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 3:20:00 PM PST
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You have a great eye don't you for all things beautiful. I love sculpting. I started to get into it when I was doing my theatrical makeup course and had to make masks etc. I really should do some more of it.
I really must read some more about your father if you have written it. Was he an artist too?
So glad you got your piece too as it must remind you of your father when you look at it. And the Cardinals are superb. How wonderful would it be to go visit this work - I have been to Washington but not sure when I might ever go there again.
By the way I just wrote a comment on a post which I somehow ended up on which now I relaise must have been from some time ago - I have so many of your posts I still need to read.- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 7:05:00 PM PST
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This is such a treat!!!! I love every single piece
- Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 7:11:00 PM PST
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I love the sphere, and how cool to have a small version on your coffee table! I can't believe it's 41 years old. Proving the point that art is timeless.
The sculptures do look beautiful in your father's home. :)- Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 12:02:00 AM PST
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What a great post, Naomi! Love so much these sculptures created by Arnaldo Pomodoro. I remember I saw photos of these beautiful spheres in your living room.
It's really amazing The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. When I did a post about Arnaldo Pomodoro (October 11, 2007) I mentioned The Hirshhorn Museum, but I did not know that the Museum was endowed during the 1960s with the permanent art collection of Joseph H. Hirshhorn, your dear Father.
I google and saw many videos of the Hisrhhorn Museum and the notable artists in the Collection.
Your father was really a remarkable person!
Thanks for sharing this great post with us. I am looking forward to more to come...
Have a pleasant day!- Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 12:14:00 PM PST
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What a beautiful sculpture and the tiny sphere you own is amazing! Lucky you bought it when you did! Now you can enjoy an original piece of this man's work forever.
The Cardinal looks majestic and at the same time symbolizes peace. I can't wait to seemore of your art photos. You are truly surrounded by beauty, my friend.- Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 12:56:00 PM PST
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Those are great sculptures. I love creative work like that
- Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 9:12:00 PM PST
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You are not biased. It all makes perfect sense. (Think about it.)
- Monday, November 22, 2010 at 2:22:00 AM PST
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It's like he sees inside a perfect sphere and then peels it back to show us what is inside. At least, that is how it seems to me. Fascinating!
- Monday, November 22, 2010 at 8:55:00 AM PST
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They are a treasure Noami!!!! I like the spheres too = Big & Small heheheheh.....
Very unique and I bet alot of hard work for the finished sculpture.
Thank you for sharing this Naomi :D- Monday, November 22, 2010 at 5:30:00 PM PST
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Are you saying that some of the sculpture in the DC garden were once at your father's home? Did he donate them?? I have been to the DC Sculpture Garden and enjoyed it very much.
The spheres look futuristic. I love the one in front of the cardinal that looks like two figures dancing.- Monday, November 22, 2010 at 5:41:00 PM PST
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I had to look up "Arnaldo Pomodoro" to see more of his work. Reminds me of peeling apart an onion if an onion was a machine. Very cool!
- Monday, November 22, 2010 at 7:00:00 PM PST
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I have seen several Pomodoro sculptures and liked all of them. There is a large circular one (but not a sphere) in Charlotte, NC
- Monday, November 22, 2010 at 7:36:00 PM PST
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I love the obelisk look of the cardinal and the sphere is fascinating. How lucky for you to have your own to touch whenever you feel like it.
BTW is one allowed to touch the outdoor sculptures? It should be allowed I think. I was shocked to learn one isn't allowed now to touch the giant boulders at Stone Henge. Do they think they will crumble?
Being reared with all that art certainly rubbed off on you.- Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 3:35:00 AM PST
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The spheres are quite futuristic aren't they.. even for today and they were made so long ago. Amazing!
- Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 6:17:00 AM PST
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Hey there happy thanksgiving to you and sweeeti
- Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 2:53:00 PM PST
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I am thankful you took these pictures to share.
- Friday, November 26, 2010 at 9:19:00 AM PST
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Very interesting Naomi! I love the sphere! That is really unique. Such a wonderful thing to have a parent who donated all this! Fascinating!! If I ever get to DC I'll be sure and look at the Museum and Sculpture Garden.
- Friday, November 26, 2010 at 9:29:00 AM PST
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