Niki de Saint Phalle
|  |
The Art of Niki de Saint Phalle is Big is Beautiful
Tip of the Week: March 1, 2008
BIG IS BEAUTIFUL.. Once you see a 'Niki', you know a 'Niki'. Chances are if you have traveled the world, you've seen one. If you've been in Balboa Park, you might have seen four of them. They are easy to find because
most of the time, you'll find someone taking a photo of them or in front of them. Niki de Saint Phalle's art grabs your attention and embraces you with child-like joy.
Make a day of it. Go on a Niki scavenger hunt and we'll bet that seeing her art will make you smile. Got kids? Children are especially drawn to Niki's art because of the vibrant colors and textures. Take them to see her sculptures. She created her art to be touched and even climbed upon. Go ahead, break the rules-touch the art. Niki wanted us to touch the her art.
Niki De Saint Phalle, a French-American artist, was world-reknowned for her whimsical, vibrant-colored, large, cartoonlike sculptures and sculptural gardens. She was both revered for her bold
imagination and, ike any other great artist, she was considered controversial.
Her career started in 1961. She created and amassed a collection of more than 1,000 sculptures and 5,000 graphic works of art.
Niki De Saint Phalle called San Diego home from 1994-2002. Like many of us, she came to San Diego because of the fantastic climate. Ironically and sadly, the art--that lifeforce within her--ultimately
caused her death. Niki used polyester to create her fanciful sculptures and the polyester fumes brought on emphysema, taking the breath, but not the spirit away from all who respected her. She died in 2002 in La Jolla, California.
The Niki De Saint Phalle story is lengthy, but the art speaks for itself. Niki still shines and her spirit lives through the art. Want to take the scavenger hunt challenge?
Locations of Niki de Saint Phalle sculptures:
Balboa Park
Mingei Museum- Nikigator, Poet and Muse
Hall of Champions-The Baseball Player (#19-homage to Tony Gwynn)
The Basketball Player (#23 homage to Michael Jordan)
UCSD Campus
Sun God
San Diego Convention Center
Coming Together
Escondido's Kit Carson Park
"Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden"
I-15: East on Via Rancho Parkway, which turns into Bear
Valley Parkway. Turn left at Mary Lane into Kit Carson Park.
Right on to Amphitheatre Drive, then follow the signs.
La Jolla-Museum of Contemporary Art
San Diego-Elephant, Mouse
Big Ganesh (behind museum)
Escondido- California Center for the Arts
One cat, two seals
Carlsbad Poinettia Park
Two large lions
6600 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad, CA
| 
