Venus

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“Venus” by Helaine Blumenfeld, 1993
Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf
London, May 2023

“Venus is an expression of a theme Helaine has been exploring throughout her career: Two Sides of a Woman. Essentially, it is a recognition of two different aspects of the female psyche — the side that is self-involved and self-sustaining and the side that depends upon outside influences. Every way you look at Venus you see another aspect of the figure’s character. From one side the woman is self-involved, feminine and maternal; as you go around the sculpture, just as the head thrusts back, you see an assertive warrior in power.” (Venus, Canary Wharf)

Quadrante astronomico

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Quadrante astronomico (Astronomical quadrant) by Ignazio Danti, 1575
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella
Florence, December 2022

“For much of his time in Florence, Danti resided at the convent of Santa Maria Novella, and designed the quadrant and the armillary sphere that appear on the end blind arches of the lower facade of the church in 1572 and 1574, on the right and left respectively. He also designed a large-scale gnomon for the church which allowed a thin beam of light to enter the church at noon each day through a hole just beneath the facade's rose window, although it probably was not completed by the time Danti left Florence.” (Ignazio Danti, Wikipedia)

San Basilio 20

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Patio (Courtyard) by Juan Jiménez
Calle San Basilio
Córdoba, September 2023

“One of the main tourist attractions of Córdoba is its patios, a place of coexistence and center of family life. In them, history, light, water and vegetation dialogue in a unique environment. Since 1921, they have taken on a special role with the Cordovan Patios Festival, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. It is celebrated during the month of May, where the Cordovan patios are adorned with flowers and pots that hang from their walls, or They are placed on the cobbled pavement. And to complete the essence of these emblematic places, their caretakers decorate the rooms with antique furniture or kitchen utensils, among other details.” (La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba, Patios de Córdoba)

Perpetual Red

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“Perpetual Red” by Merete Rasmussen, 2015
Harbour Quay Gardens, Canary Wharf
London, May 2023

“Placed in the idyllic Harbour Quay Gardens, Rasmussen has created an alluring red surface that twists and flows, shifting between curves and sharp edges, through the convex and concave. The elegant sculpture creates wonderful shapes through the form itself as well as its negative space.” (Perpetual Red, Canary Wharf)

Sfera armillare

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Sfera armillare (Armillary sphere) by Ignazio Danti, 1575
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella
Florence, December 2022

“For much of his time in Florence, Danti resided at the convent of Santa Maria Novella, and designed the quadrant and the armillary sphere that appear on the end blind arches of the lower facade of the church in 1572 and 1574, on the right and left respectively. He also designed a large-scale gnomon for the church which allowed a thin beam of light to enter the church at noon each day through a hole just beneath the facade's rose window, although it probably was not completed by the time Danti left Florence.” (Ignazio Danti, Wikipedia)

Plaza de San Juan de Dios

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Plaza de San Juan de Dios
Casco Antiguo
Cádiz, September 2023

“The importance of the new cathedral means that Cádiz doesn’t exactly have a ‘main’ square as such, but it is hard to look past the Plaza de San Juan de Dios when it comes to a major meeting point in this social city. The commercial centre of the city since way back in the 16th century, the square opens out onto the harbour and the Atlantic and is home to a fascinating collection of buildings, among them the City Hall and a church that takes the same name as the square, that being the Church of San Juan de Dios. There is also a Burger King, if you’re after a weird juxtaposition of the old and new.” (Plaza de San Juan de Dios, In Your Pocket)

Peninsula Spire

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Peninsula Spire by by Barr Gazetas Architects, 2006
Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula
London, May 2023

“Barr Gazetas Architects' spire - which the practice claims is the UK's highest stainless-steel sculpture - has been erected at Greenwich Peninsula, creating a new riverside landmark for the capital. The twisted and tapering stainless-steel structure, dubbed The Peninsula Spire, is 45m high - taller than the Royal Albert Hall - and was co-designed by structural engineer WhitbyBird. The spire will be a permanent centrepiece for Peninsula Square, a public space being developed for a new business district at the Greenwich Peninsula. The 34-tonne sculpture was made in three pieces, the largest weighing 25 tonnes, and was built by Swiss craftsmen Tuchschmid. Its construction required the help of a Dutch luxury yacht builder due to the complex form of the steel plates. Peninsula Square will include cafes, shops and restaurants and a regular venue for special events and performances for visitors and office workers. Barr Gazetas' Alistair Barr said: 'Greenwich has led the world with innovative ideas in astronomy, navigation and precision engineering. This is a fantastic example of truly creative collaboration between architects, engineers and craftspeople to create an inspiring and unique work of art.'” (‘UK’s tallest steel sculpture’ erected in Greenwich, Architects’ Journal)