The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis, MN

I just spent a long weekend at the most wonderful wedding in Minneapolis. Between a full schedule of wedding events, I of course snuck in more than a little art.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center is fantastic. I visited for the first time in March of 2019 when it was brutally cold outside. Visiting in the summer was truly more enjoyable.

James Turrell, Sky Pesher, 2005 (entrance)

Turrell’s Sky Pesher is at the Wurtele Upper Garden just next to the Walker Art Center.

Inside
View inside looking up

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is directly across the street from the Walker Art Center.

Class Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Spoonbridge and Cherry, 1985-1988 Aluminum, stainless steel, paint

I’m showing you just a few of my favorite works at the garden. There is so much to see there, that you should definitely try to visit someday. You can see a full list of all the work here.

Mark Manders, September Room, 2017
Bronze
Robert Indiana, LOVE, 1966-1998
Cor-Ten steel
Mark di Suvero, Arikidea, 1977-1982 (Left)
Cor-Ten steel, steel, wood

Louise Nevelson, Dawn Tree, 1976 (Right)
Aluminum, paint
Sol LeWitt, X with Columns, 1996
Cinder block, concrete
Katharina Fritsch, Hahn/Cock, 2013/2017
Fiberglass, polyester resin, stainless steel, paint, artist-designed painted steel pedestal
173-1/4” x 173-1/4” x 59 inches

Some of you might have seen the Hahn/Cock in other locations, as it is an edition of two. The second one traveled a bit and is now in D.C. Read this to learn more.

Theaster Gates, Black Vessel for a Saint, 2017
Brick, granite, Cor-Ten steel, concrete statue of Saint Laurence

I absolutely adored this Theaster Gates piece. The Walker’s website has a great discussion of Black Vessel for a Saint, including an interview with the always fascinating Gates.

Inside
Inside
Another view from outside

The is something about these boulders that Jim Hodges inlaid with colorful steel and lacquer, while maintaining the natural concourse of the rock, that photos don’t quite capture. The interplay between the enormous organic, granite boulders and the perfectly-fitted metal is extraordinarily beautiful.

Jim Hodges, Untitled, 2011
Granite, stainless steel, lacquer
Jim Hodges, Untitled, 2011
Granite, stainless steel, lacquer

The gardens were in full bloom, which was a nice summer bonus.

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