FFF 70 — Amalgam by Sculptor, Nick Cave, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Nick Cave’s 26-foot tall bronze sculpture, Amalgam (Origin), has landed a home at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Happy Friday Everyone! Nick Cave’s magnificent sculpture has been installed at Meijer Gardens since fall, but they have had the area where it’s at blocked off because of various construction projects – and there are still large areas blocked off – so we were not able to see it until this past Tuesday. Because we didn’t get to the gardens until later and it still gets dark earlier, it was dusk by the time we got out there. Daughter-in-law and granddaughter decided to stay at the big playground area while son and I walked out there. It took awhile.

The top image of Amalgam (Origin) and the artist, Nick Cave, was lifted off of a Chicago-based website, as I wasn’t able to lift the one at the gardens website, which has a nice little slideshow and lots of information about the artist and his sculpture.

From the website:

Amalgam (Origin), by Nick Cave, is a monumental 26-foot-tall bronze sculpture representing a significant evolution of his iconic Soundsuitswearable sculptures that blend fashion, craft and performance art. Originally created in 1992 as a response to the brutal beating of Rodney King by police, Cave’s Soundsuits were conceived as protective armor, concealing the wearer’s race, gender and class to challenge viewers to look beyond surface judgments. Over the years, Cave has crafted more than 500 Soundsuits, each a unique vehicle for empowerment and self-expression.

I would very much encourage you to follow the Soundsuits link to see lots more of Nick’s work, including videos of his creations moving around. It’s art at its most inspiring.  I have to thank whatever board decides on what art to make part of its permanent collection for Meijer Gardens.  THANK YOU. 

THANK YOU to Nick, for creating a star to admire in the night sky. 

Also I want to THANK KERFE for telling me about Nick Cave and steering me to his work.  When I saw the sculpture was coming to the gardens I was thinking it was Nick Cave the musician lol.  She made sure I knew they were two different people.

I can’t wait until granddaughter sees Amalgam. 

9 Comments Add yours

  1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    It’s just amazing

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Yes, it is! We are blessed to have it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

        Very true.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. pvcann's avatar pvcann says:

    I so like his music, he is very vulnerable and open in interviews too which draws me to him.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      I like the musician Nick Cave also. Have you heard his album Murder Ballads?

      Nick Cave the artist is phenomenal! I hope you check out the videos on the post and at the link.

      Like

  3. glyn40wilton's avatar glyn40wilton says:

    I never knew Nick Cave was a sculptor

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Glyn, there are TWO Nick Caves. One’s a musician. One is a sculptor.

      Like

  4. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    So magical, as all his work is. But what a setting! ♥️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      K, they have it set far from any other sculpture, on a little-used trail, which is kind of mystifying, BUT this might be a sign they are expanding the sculpture park out on the other side of the property. We’ll have to see. I’m glad I saw it for the first time with the sunset behind it <3

      Like

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