Stack Stalk

Summary

Stack Stalk is an outdoor 2001 sculpture by Ean Eldred and the architectural firm Rigga, located along the Eastbank Esplanade in Portland, Oregon.

Stack Stalk
The sculpture in 2015
Map
ArtistEan Eldred, Rigga
Year2001 (2001)
TypeSculpture
Medium
Dimensions7.6 m × 0.61 m × 0.61 m (25 ft × 2 ft × 2 ft)
LocationPortland, Oregon, United States
Coordinates45°31′12″N 122°40′00″W / 45.520122°N 122.666537°W / 45.520122; -122.666537
OwnerCity of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection courtesy of the Regional Arts & Culture Council

Description edit

 
Plaque for the sculpture

The sculpture, designed by Ean Eldred and Rigga and completed in 2001, was funded by the City of Portland Development Commission's Percent for Art program. It is one of four by Rigga along the esplanade; the others are Alluvial Wall by Peter Nylen, Echo Gate by Eldred and Ghost Ship by James Harrison.[1] Stack Stalk is composed of mild steel, stainless steel, glass float and electric light, and measures 25 feet (7.6 m) x 2 feet (0.61 m) x 2 feet (0.61 m). The abstract lamp post contains graduated cylinders stacked to support the glass float.[2] cultureNOW describes it as "Part smoke stack, part sheaf of wheat... a beacon holding a Japanese glass fishing float from the coast up to the sky."[3]

According to the Regional Arts & Culture Council, which administers the sculpture, it commemorates the "hybrid nature of the river-port as a meeting point for eastern Oregon's agriculture with ocean bound ships. Blending a stalk of barley with a rustic smoke stack, it suspends a Japanese glass float in the sky as a reminder of the rivers connection with the Pacific Ocean."[4] It is part of the City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection courtesy of the Regional Arts & Culture Council.[3]

Reception edit

The sculpture was mentioned in Willamette Week's "Dr. Know" column in an article about phallic sculptures in Portland.[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Eastbank Esplanade". City of Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  2. ^ "Stack Stalk, (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Stack Stalk, 2001". cultureNOW. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  4. ^ "Public Art Search: Stack Stalk". Regional Arts & Culture Council. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  5. ^ Smith, Marty (December 23, 2009). "Meet Dr. Know". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2014.

External links edit

  • Stack Stalk at the Public Art Archive
  • Portland Cultural Tours: Public Art Walking Tour (PDF), Regional Arts & Culture Council