Benbow BullockHOMAGE TO BRANCUSI
Benbow Bullock
USA (1929 - 2010)
/ THE WORK
HOMAGE TO BRANCUSI, 2001
steel
An elegant uninterrupted sequence of steel blocks tending towards infinity and reaching a height of 9.6 meters: the title and shape of this sculpture readily reveal its debt to the famous Endless Column created in 1938 by the Romanian artist Brancusi. Bullock, however, reveals that there were also other sources of inspiration, some to be found in nature (phototropic sunflowers) and others in Egyptian obelisks, while the monumental verticality evokes that of the cypress trees in the area.
The glittering silver column shines in various directions among the trees surrounding it. Each of the pyramidal sections of which it is composed changes direction at each intersection in its height; thus, as with a sunflower, the sun and daily and seasonal changes are reflected in a conceptual continuum. While Brancusi’s column commemorated the Romanian war heroes killed during World War I, Bullock’s column recalls the everyday wonder and mystery of nature itself.
The work is installed outside the Park, near the crossroads for Gaiole in Chianti and Vagliagli. It is part of a series of endless column sculptures in burnished stainless-steel ranging in height from twelve to over fifty feet high. Selected others are in several states of the US and Japan.
Benbow Bullock
USA (1929 - 2010)
BIOGRAPHY
Benbow Bullock was born in 1929, in St Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 1950 with a B.A. degree in humanities. Benbow has been sculpting in steel, aluminium and silicon bronze, at his studio in the San Francisco Bay Area, creating geometric abstract constructivist sculptures for over 35 years.
In the last years of his life, he spent time studying the physics of thin-film optics. He created abstract dichroic glass sculptures utilizing materials developed by NASA to protect crews, on space flights, from harmful high intensity X-rays and ultraviolet rays. These sculptures are passive kinetic abstract sundials, which change colours depending on the angle light strikes the thin-film glass. And the apparent movements of the sun, and/or visiting passers-by. His latest sculptures are large scale aluminium mobiles. Benbow Bullock died in 2010.
USEFUL INFORMATION
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HOW TO REACH US
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By paved road from Siena, take the SP408 to Ponte a Bozzone. Turn left at the church and follow the signs for Pievasciata / Sculpture Park. We are about 15 km from Siena.
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THE WALK
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The walk round the Park is about 1,5 km and it is suitable for baby buggies and wheelchair users. Upon request we offer a tour of the Park in an electric buggy for those with mobility issues. Contact us for further information.
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OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS
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Open every day (including Sundays and holidays) from 10am to 6pm. Last entry one hour before closing.
Tickets: €10 adults | € 5 reduced – under 18 yrs | Free 0-4 yrs
Booking is not necessary. The Chianti Sculpture Park APP – available for free on Apple Store and Google Play Store – is an excellent audio guide!
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GROUPS
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Groups of more than 12 people are asked to book entry in advance, to facilitate organisation.
Guided tours are available in Italian and English upon reservation.
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A VISIT FOR EVERYONE
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The visit to the Park lasts an hour and a half on average and it is absolutely suitable for children! Our four-legged friends are welcome providing they are kept on a lead and any ‘deposits’ are removed! The park does not have a restaurant, but we will be happy to recommend some restaurants that can be reached by car in a few minutes. A picnic area is available.
CHIANTI SCULPTURE PARK
Strada provinciale 9, 48
53019 Pievasciata - Castelnuovo Berardenga (Si)
P.I. 01181460526 C.F. 92044080528
Phone: +39 0577 357151 E-mail: info@parcosculturechianti.it
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