Flying Gulls [Plaster]
Dublin Core
Title
Flying Gulls [Plaster]
Subject
Animal sculpture--20th century
Description
Flying Gulls, 1968
Plaster original
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.023
This delicately balanced sculpture is evidence of Fredericks' expertise in design and structural engineering. The openness and verticality of the composition are very dramatic. The large gulls appear weightless, held in place only by a wing tip, giving the illusion of flight and movement. The elegance of the composition is reinforced by the smooth surfaces of the gulls bodies and wings with only a slight suggestion of feathers and other details. To complete this airy construction, Fredericks utilized lightweight aluminum to cast the gulls for a fountain at the Civic Center and Loutit District Library Plaza in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Plaster original
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.023
This delicately balanced sculpture is evidence of Fredericks' expertise in design and structural engineering. The openness and verticality of the composition are very dramatic. The large gulls appear weightless, held in place only by a wing tip, giving the illusion of flight and movement. The elegance of the composition is reinforced by the smooth surfaces of the gulls bodies and wings with only a slight suggestion of feathers and other details. To complete this airy construction, Fredericks utilized lightweight aluminum to cast the gulls for a fountain at the Civic Center and Loutit District Library Plaza in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Creator
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Date
1968
Rights
Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
Relation
Coverage
University Center (Mich.)
Sculpture Item Type Metadata
Physical Dimensions
134" x 42"
Materials
Plaster full-scale
Catalog Number
1991.023
Object Location
Main Exhibit Gallery
Provenance
1989 March, 22 Gift to Museum and SVSU Board of Control
Notes
Facts:
-it's 16 feet high
-it's a common sight to a Michigan artist; native species in his environment especially birds
Molly Barth copy:
The next piece is the plaster model for the Flying Gulls Fountain located in Grand Haven, Michigan. The figures are cast in aluminum which is lighter than bronze. The water comes up through the pedestal and flows down. It really is magnificent! It's beautiful! [work] As I mentioned, Fredericks is an engineer to design this so that both birds are in flight and held in place by that one wing tip. They are only suspended by that one wing tip.
-it's 16 feet high
-it's a common sight to a Michigan artist; native species in his environment especially birds
Molly Barth copy:
The next piece is the plaster model for the Flying Gulls Fountain located in Grand Haven, Michigan. The figures are cast in aluminum which is lighter than bronze. The water comes up through the pedestal and flows down. It really is magnificent! It's beautiful! [work] As I mentioned, Fredericks is an engineer to design this so that both birds are in flight and held in place by that one wing tip. They are only suspended by that one wing tip.
Files
Citation
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998, “Flying Gulls [Plaster],” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed April 19, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/5072.