Near the Palo Alto golf course and Palo Alto airport lies and imposing public art display…read more The installation in question is called KaiKoo V and was created by Betty Gold. Gold who has been making these sculptures for more than two decades, Is known for large outdoor abstract installations. The art is either painted in a bright color or left to rust in its natural state. This particular work is painted a uniform red. The welded steel is impressively thick and her propensity for abstract shapes is apparent. as it official catalog describes " "An abstract sculpture made with three triangles, two large and one small supporting, made of steel plate joined together along one edge. The two large triangles have semicircular pieces cut out along one edge." I could not have said it better. Its almost 20 feet tall at its peak (Best guess) and covers a decent sized area. As with most abstract sculptures you see different things from different vantage points. The sculpture is more of a stop than a destination and can be paired with a trip to the Baylands, Byxbee Park, and the duck pond all which are in easy walking distance.

Sail Sculpture is an outdoor art installation located in the city of Mountain View, California…read more Located on Garcia Avenue, it is the work of artist Burke Rutherford. It is located near Intuit Corporation Building 4. As a side note you never see Intuit bikes abandoned but I digress... Rutherford, who was born in Utah, and moved to California in his youth, studied art extensively in Europe. His work which is primarily seen in North America, ranges from huge outdoor installations to small tabletop designs. Its seems very hard to pin down a particular style and he seemed content to dabble in a vast multitude of them. He passed away at his home in Mexico in 2015 From the artist: 'There is noting more gratifying than to see people, young, old, and even blind, enjoy your work, touching and feeling the sculpture as it truly should be experienced" And indeed, before I did my research, I was compelled to run my hand down the face of one of the triangles. I normally do not do this but I'm happy to see this was his intent. The sculpture consists of three abstract, curved triangles position close together. The effect is very cool, and from some angles you may only see one, or all three, but you are drawn into the symmetry and differences of each piece. This kind of art significantly interfered with my bike ride as I was really reluctant to leave the sculpture. It really drew me in. If I had a lawn chair and a decent pilsner in quantity, I could spend hours just staring at it. Sail Sculpture is really off by itself. There is a variety of activities to do within a few miles, and this is better as a stop than a destination. There is a nearby installation I have already review, Ling The Lang and Buzzcock, so there is more than afew to see int he immediate vacinity. There are also several installations int he immediate area I have not gotten too, so stay tuned

Mitchell Park Library is a lively community center with lights illuminating the outdoor area after…read moredark during business hours. Six shiny stainless steel owl sculptures, by Brad Oldham, are lined up in front of the entrance, greeting visitors. Two kinds of owls are staggered in a row, "whimsy" with a round figure and larger eyes exuding a lighthearted and playful vibe, and "wise" with its wings straight down at its sides, appearing alert and attentive as intended by the artist. The tails are curved enough to be used as makeshift seats (I saw a kid sitting on one of the statues while I was there). The mirror finish of the sculptures ensures those who encounter this beautiful artwork become part of the art as well.

Universal Woman is a sculpture installation located in the city of Palo Alto, California. It is…read morelocated on Newell Road, and is part of the Palo Alto Cultural Center. Universal woman is the work of Nathan Oliveira. Oliveira who was born in Oakland, California, was also a professor of art at Stanford University. He was instrumental in the development of The Bay Area Figurative Movement in the 1950's. This style, eschewed the mainstream Abstract Expressionism that had dominated the art scene. He is primarily known for his painting and that's what makes this sculpture unique. Oliveira died in 2010 and left the statue to the city where it is now on permanent display. It is one of his final pieces and was completed 2 years before his death. The Windhover Center on the Stanford Campus is dedicated to his work and houses four of his paintings One of the first things you notice about Universal Woman is her size. It was one of the largest sculptures he created at around 8 feet tall. Despite the size there a grace and poise to the form. I could almost conjure her talking a tightrope or the like. Indeed the grace displayed in the form reminded me alot of my mother. As with many things, this work is more of a stop than a destination. Kids will love it however (adults too) It located near the Main Library, the Children's Library, the Cultural Center, Riconanda Park, and the Junior Museum are all withing a very short radius thus it would be a great outing if you have kids.

This is an easy-to-miss horse sculpture, made of bronze and metal with the simple appearance of…read moredriftwood pieced together into a lovely work of art. A similar art piece can be found at the Cantor Arts Center as part of a series by the artist, Deborah Butterfield, however Butternut, named after its color, is easier to access and view right in front of the Stanford Hospital, with tables and seating in the vicinity as well. Free self parking (up to 2 hours) is available in the Pasteur Visitor Garage, hidden underground. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but the sculpture is worth some attention if you're in the area.

Butternut is a public art installation location on the ground of the Stanford University medical…read moreCenter. It is the work of artist Deborah Butterfield. This is the 3th or her Horse series that can be found on the Peninsula with the other being in the Cantor, and of all places in the middle of nowhere in Mountain View. Deborah Butterfield began sculpting horses back in the 1970's. She started with sticks and clay, but soon progressed to scrape metal. She later moved on to cast bronze. She selects individual pieces of wood and then creates the bronze cast. The wood/bronze is then used to create the horses. A native of San Diego, California, her art can be seen in museums around the country. From the artist: ""The lines of the branches do not simply outline the forms of horses, they create the contours through an accumulation of simple or energetic lines that seem to build up from within. This is three-dimensional gesture drawing, and the result is both skeletal and muscular." The sculpture at first glance appears to be driftwood with all of its detail, but when you touch it and feel the cold hard metal its shocking everything even though I know what to expect. There is a stark simplicity to the sculpture as a whole from a distance, but the intricate details of the casting and the complexity the small shapes form are shockingly complex. The sculpture is about 40 feet from the sidewalk and up a slight hill. There is nothing around and I have to admit I spent a good 30 minutes enjoying both the relative quiet and the sculpture from different angles. I am always fainted by the works. Cast in bronze, they really look like driftwood. Despite being somewhat skeletonized, they appear to be alive. Up close the intricate detail reveals itself. Each angle brings a new view and you can find yourself gazing at it for a long time. Butternut as noted is close to the new Stanford Hospital. In and of itself it is not a destination, however, given its proximity to the Cantor, and numerous other art installations, it is best part of a multi stop trip.

Nude in Steel is an outdoor sculpture located in the city of Palo Alto. The sculpture is located…read morenear the rear entranace of the RInconada Library. Created by Hans Wehrli, the sculpture was the first piece of art purchased by the Palo Alto Public Art Commission and was part of the countries Bicentential celebration in 1976 Nude In Steel is described as "it is comprised of metal cut-outs arranged to create the figure. The nude woman is standing with both arms placed atop her head." The figure seems to be at ease and its definitely an abstract rendering. The use of different sized pieces of steel makes the structure interesting. The plaque unlike many of the art found in Palo Alto is quite wordy: AS USANIA WAS A 'FESTIVAL USA' GIFT AND THE TRICENTENNIAL FUND IS A 'HORIZON-76' ENDOWMENT. SO THIS SCULPTURE IS A PRESENT TO THE PEOPLE OF PALO ALTO FOR 'HERITAGE-76' BY THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BICEN- TENNIAL COMMITTEE OF PALO ALTO As with many things, this work is more fo a stop than a destination. It located near the Main Library, the Children's Library, the Cultural Center, Riconanda Park, and the Junior Museum are all withing a very short radius thus it would be part of a great outing if you have kids

Max is an outdoor sculpture located in Mountain View, California..... Wow this one came out of…read morenowhere and I was really shocked. I have seen other works of Deborah Butterfield at major museums, and was floored to see this art installation in the middle of nowhere (I mean its near offices etc, but not on any maps), off by itself with little fanfare. I was biking by and saw it from a distance. Curious I rode up and was very surprised Deborah Butterfield began sculpting horses back in the 1970's. She started with sticks and clay, but soon progressed to scrape metal. She later moved on to cast bronze. She selects individual pieces of wood and then creates the bronze cast. The wood/bronze is then used to create the horses. A native of San Diego, California, her art can be seen in museums around the country. From the artist: ""The lines of the branches do not simply outline the forms of horses, they create the contours through an accumulation of simple or energetic lines that seem to build up from within. This is three-dimensional gesture drawing, and the result is both skeletal and muscular." The sculpture at first glance appears to be driftwood with all of its detail, but when you touch it and feel the cold hard metal its shocking everything even though I know what to expect. There is a stark simplicity to the sculpture as a whole from a distance, but the intricate details of the casting and the complexity the small shapes form are shockingly complex. The sculpture is about 40 feet from the sidewalk and up a slight hill. There is nothing around and I have to admit I spent a good 30 minutes enjoying both the relative quiet and the sculpture from different angles. As with most of my public art reviews this is more of a stop than a destination. There is quite a bit to do in the immediate are from the various Bay Trails and Shoreline Lake etc.

Homage To Silence is a kinetic sculpture installation located in the city of Palo Alto. It is…read morelocated on Newell Road, and on the grounds of the Palo Alto Cultural Center. The sculpture was created in 1981 and is the work of Jerome Kirk. Jerome Kirk did not set out to be an artist. Rather following WWII he obtained a degree from MIT in Mechanical Engineering. His artwork reflects his background in engineering. A noted feature of his outdoor installations is the precision with which they move and the meticulous engineering that goes into counterbalancing the motion of the various parts. Often the sculpture is put into motion by a slight breeze. Sometimes it needs a bit of help. But once in motion, the different arms silently move back and forth creating patterns and can be quite mesmerizing. As with many things, this work is more fo a stop than a destination. It located near the Main Library, the Children's Library, the Cultural Center, Riconanda Park, and the Junior Museum are all withing a very short radius thus it would be a great outing if you have kids. That being said, the grass especially in the mornings can be quite wet.

'The Heron" is a public art installation located in the City of Redwood City, California. Located…read moreon the Port Waterfront, it is the work of David Han. Han, a Silicon Valley resident was first exposed to art at a young age. His mother was a painter of note, and his father was a engineer. he took elements of each parents 'art" and made his own unique style. He specializes in using recycled metals, and molds technology with nature in his sculptures. The Heron is a fantastic sculpture. From a distance you can clearly make out the grace and beauty of the bird on which it is based. Upon closer examination you can see the bird/sculpture as a perfect meld of nature and abstract forms. Attention to detail shows in the intricate details of the interior. Despite an intricate base, the bird appears to be in flight and he was able to convey the grace of an actual heron in flight. As noted The Heron is located in the Port of Redwood City waterfront. It is near the fishing pier and the a short path along the water. There are picnic benches next to the sculpture but there is little else here unless you are either fishing or sailing so it is more of a stop than a destination.