pratt institute

Pratt Institute in Brooklyn?  What would take me there?  Well the first reason…how about to accompany a good friend as she stepped back in time…forty years ago as a student of this specialty college of art, design, and architecture.  In addition, it was the lure of the on campus sculpture park which happens to be the largest outdoor sculpture park in NYC.  It helps when you have over 25 acres to dedicate to 50 sculptures each year from well-known and emerging artists.  Located in the Clinton Hill residential neighborhood in Brooklyn, Pratt is situated among quaint old brownstones with mature landscapes and open spaces.  So peaceful, one could only imagine it during the fall season or covered with snow.  There were a number of sculptures that were favorites, but sharing just a couple to get an understanding of the detail and the size throughout the exhibition.

Donald Lipski’s circular sculpture presented how something we would never think of as being art – an every day object – a shovel – turned into a fascinating piece of work! (100 shovels to be exact!)  For those of you who have entered the Grand Central Market on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan and stood in awe at the chandelier in the entry, well this is one of Lipski’s pieces as well.  It’s stunning with thousands of hand-faceted Swarovski crystals…so check it out when you’re in midtown Manhattan.  And for those of you in Arizona…he is the creator of the three story tall “doors” that’s a giant walk-in kaleidoscope in downtown Scottsdale.  Man, this guy is creative!  His public art work is all over the United States.

Not sure if it was Sal Romano’s intention to place his sculpture of brass and copper beside this beautiful bush…but the combination certainly made for a fabulous natural diptych!  (Don’t confuse this Sal Romano with the Sal Romano on Mad Men! So love that series.)  I came across this video which is just adorable of Mr. Romano talking about his work.  He gives some heartfelt advice at the end of the three minute video for all of us who create.

After strolling the grounds, we checked out a few of the studios and classrooms, perhaps in areas we shouldn’t have ventured.*  I captured a few reminders of the visit to put in my own art collection.

 

 

So if you’re in the Brooklyn area, take the time to check out the sculpture park.  It’s just loaded with inspiration and there’s so much charm in the Clinton Hill area.   *Of course the thought was…she had paid her dues back in the day and she/we could go wherever she wanted to go!  And we did.  So fun!