Art

Art at NorthPark

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A trip to the best mall in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex is a trip to see art collected by the late Raymond Nasher and his wife, Patsy. NorthPark Center was built in the early 1960s and according to the mall’s website was “one of the first large-scale malls to have unity of materials and a policy of controlled graphics . . .” Also, this mall “. . . set a consistent standard of quality in materials, architectural detailing and use of natural light.”

A few years ago, the mall underwent an expansion and the family management firm retained the services of the original architectural firm used when the center was first built. What was once a u-shaped mall is now a complete square with anchor stores in each corner. This has provided for a new center green area known as “CenterPark,” with more art displayed here as is displayed in the many open areas of the mall.

Some examples of Mr. Nasher’s modern collection in the mall, as well as some unique cactus plants currently on display, follow.

—Ad Astra, painted steel, Mark di Suvero, 2005

 

One can reflect on color at NorthPark Center.

–an example of the unique plant design
Some pictures are below of Jonathan Borofsky‘s Hammering Men. Mr. Borofsky made his first Hammering Man in 1979 and they can be seen in various places all over the globe.

I forgot to look for the title of the above work, but I believe it is by Antony Gormley. Below is another reflection on color.

–small cacti in pot

—20 elements, wood, Joel Shapiro, 2005

Besides the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Mr. Nasher also founded another art museum at Duke University. The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University opened in October 2005. The Patsy R. and Raymond D Nasher Sculpture Garden is another contribution by the Nashers to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.
I enjoy walking around NorthPark, even when I have no particular shopping destination in mind, thanks to the lovely art and landscaping that Raymond and Patsy Nasher envisioned.