Plazuela de la Rogativa, San Juan: Viejo San Juan /Dean
Attractions & Sights April-2007, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Public Art Takes to the Island
If you think all the attractions in the northwestern town of Isabela are found along the coast, then you haven’t been to its central plaza recently. In the heart of the plaza in the heart of the town is a whimsical statue, “Isabela and the Sea,” created by Lindsay Daen, internationally known New Zealand sculptor who lived more than half his life in San Juan. Daen also sculpted the landmark La Rogativa statue in Old San Juan and several others in the capital city.
Isabela’s statue is one of over 70 works of public art gracing the highways, byways, urban centers and landscapes of Puerto Rico. Sponsored by the Island’s Public Works Department, this is an impressive collection of sculptures by both local and international artists.
Islanders first became aware of the public art project with the opening of San Juan’s Urban Train. Each train-stop station showcases at least one piece of art, from “Stained-glass Window” by Luis Hernández Cruz at the Sagrado Corazón stop to “E-Star” by Hugo Vidal at the Jardines de Caparra station. A dramatic grouping of sculptures, “The Muses” by Annex Burgos, stands in the Ferré Center for Performing Arts Plaza in Santurce. Lifesize likenesses of the nine female Muses present symbols of their arts and sciences to the center. Around the corner, a large “Reclining Woman” by Fernando Botero looms over the new Cultural Plaza at the Minillas Center.
Drive around the Island, and you’ll find many more of these public art works. Enjoy “Piraguas de Frambuesa/Strawberry Ice Cones” by Red Grooms in the central plaza of Coamo. Explore “Infinity Playground” by Nelly Toledo at the Manuel Ledesma Plaza in Arecibo. Walk along the “Paseo Fantástico” by Rafael Rivera Rosa at Jayuya’s Pedestrian Walkway. Step “Into the Lighthouse” by Ann Hamilton at the lighthouse in Cabo Rojo. Visit “Yauco Garden” by Ming Fay, a sculpture dedicated to Yauco’s annual coffee festival, at Lluberas Park. And at Toa Alta’s Urban Center check out the curious sculpture, “Solid Waters, Liquid Stone,” by Ramón Berrios.
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