Sculptures and Shuttlecocks...

Two of the large "Shuttlecock" sculptures in front of the
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

As I mentioned yesterday, my husband and I just got back from a little vacation in Kansas City, MO - today I thought I would share some photos with you from the Kansas City Sculpture Park located on the grounds of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art...I just loved walking through the park after a lovely dinner at Houston's in the Plaza. The Sculpture Park is is 22-acres (park perimeter .7 miles) and is home to thirty-two sculptures, including the largest collection of monumental bronze sculptures by Henry Moore. One piece on the extensive grounds that definitely stands out is Shuttlecocks by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen...it is quite fun to see each of the four gigantic shuttlecocks placed strategically throughout the park! The walking tour has labels that identify and provide interpretive information for each sculpture...and there is a mobile guide tour available, as well. Walking through the park in the late evening was quite inspirational, as the shadows added to the artistic views...and I found it quite interesting to look at multiple views of each sculpture, as different angles provided unique perspectives. My absolute favorite sculpture is Ferment by Roxy Paine (two photos shown below) - a 56-foot stainless steel tree-like structure that investigates the the complex interrelationship between nature and technology....the label provided states: "'Ferment' is defined as a state of agitation or turbulent change. With it's twisting, gnarled branches, Paine's sculpture embodies the surging energy of creation, growth, transformation, decay and regeneration." It also states "It's organic, tree-like form also speaks profoundly to the dendritic (branching) structures of nature - from our bodies (torso, arms, hands, fingers) to vascular and neurological systems to river and deltas and erosion patterns to botanical branching".

I hope you enjoy my mini photo tour of the Kansas City Sculpture Park...
(Those of you on Instagram can see some additional photos I took on my smartphone - username: BRDGIRL)

Two-Piece Reclining Figure No. 9 - Henry Moore

Seated Woman - Henry Moore

Shuttlecocks - Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

Sheep Piece - Henry Moore

Large Interior Form - Henry Moore

Large Torso: Arch - Henry Moore

Large Totem Head - Henry Moore

Ferment - Roxy Paine

Ferment - Roxy Paine

Three Bowls - Ursula von Rydingsvard

Ferryman - Tony Gragg