TRAVEL PUBLIC ART

May S. Marcy Sculpture Court & Garden

1450 El Prado, Balboa Park San Diego, CA 92112

When most people think of San Diego they picture never-ending sunshine, sandy beaches, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and the infamous outdoor wonderland known as Balboa Park. Rich with lush vegetation and bursting at the seams with culture, Balboa Park spans across a little more than 1,000 acres. Museums, restaurants, theaters, dog parks, cultural centers, international cottages, year-round events and attractions make it one of San Diego’s truest gems. Those who simply want to stop and smell the roses can do so at any one of the park’s 16 distinct gardens. If the flora gets to be a bit much for visitors, they can head over to a different garden altogether — the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court & Garden. An extension of the San Diego Museum of Art, the garden is located directly outside the museum and adjacent to the Copley Auditorium. Here you will find that the beauty is not born of the foliage, but from the creative minds of 19th and 20th century sculptors such as George Rickey, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson, David Smith, and a never-before-seen work by Alexander Liberman. Entrance to the garden is free and patrons can relax at any one of the benches situated throughout the garden, which have been provided by Museum members and docents in celebration of life, love, and a memory.

28

Photo Credit: Installation View of the May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden featuring Henry Moore’s Reclining Figure: Arch Leg.

Geisel Library 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 A long-time San Diego resident and beloved figure, Theodor Seuss

Geisel is better known to all as Dr. Seuss. More than half a century since he gave us The Cat in the Hat and decades after his passing, his legacy continues to inspire and provide more than whimsical characters. The University of California, San Diego is home to one of the city’s most recognizable buildings — The Geisel Library. Named in honor of Audrey and Theodor for their generous contributions to the library and their devotion to improving literacy, the library first opened in 1970 and houses the Dr. Seuss Collection. Within the 8,500-item collection, one will find original drawings, sketches, proofs, notebooks, manuscript drafts, books, audio and videotapes, photographs, and memorabilia. The collection, which dates from his high school activities in 1919 to his passing in 1991, documents the entire scope of Seuss's creative accomplishments. Due to the delicacy of its materials, access to the collection is restricted

to researchers who have obtained permission from the director of special collections. However, certain items are exhibited during the summer session and in March, Seuss’ birth month. The original building was designed by William Pereira, with additional renovations designed by Gunnar Birkerts. Reaching a total height of 110’, the library has eight total stories, two of which are underground. Admission to the library is open to all and accessible seven days a week. It should be noted that a UCSD student identification card is required for entrance to the library during extended hours.

OFF THE EASEL MAGAZINE – SPRING 2015