“Playa to Paseo” New Burning Man Art Unveiling | San Jose

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Celebrate the Newest Artworks in the “Playa to Paseo” Partnership

The City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs and Burning Man Project invite you to celebrate the newest artworks in the “Playa to Paseo” partnership, “Tara Mechani” by Dana Albany and “Ursa Mater” by Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson with a reception on May 4, 2018.

Located in Plaza de Cesar Chavez and Paseo de San Antonio, respectively, these artworks animate San Jose’s public spaces with the wonder, beauty, and whimsy of Burning Man. The reception for these newest artworks will take place in both the park and Paseo.

Reception for “Tara Mechani” and “Ursa Mater”
Friday, May 4, 2018,  6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Remarks at 6:30 p.m.)
Plaza de Cesar Chavez and Paseo de San Antonio at Market St.
FREE

About the Artworks

“Tara Mechani” by Dana Albany is a sculpture that entwines aspects of the ancient female Buddha, Tara, with characteristics of a futuristic female robot. Playing with the contemporary fascination with technology, the artwork infuses the mechanical with the compassion and empathy of the ancient deity. “Tara Mechani” challenges us to embrace the future without losing sight of past beauty and ancient wisdom. The sculpture’s art deco aesthetic is inspired by the robot Maria from the classic silent film “Metropolis”. Standing 15 feet high, “Tara Mechani” is created from non-traditional materials including recycled machine parts and has a custom chandelier lighting her chest and heart. “Tara Mechani” will be on view in Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park through June 9, 2018.

“Ursa Mater” by Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, is a 14-foot sculpture of a mother bear and her two cubs covered entirely in pennies. “Ursa Mater” is the 2nd penny bear created by the artist duo and the largest, covered in over 205,000 pennies. The artists were assisted in the artwork’s creation by a team of 12 friends. Lisa Ferguson, who lived in Canada before meeting her husband Robert at Burning Man, was inspired to create artwork out of pennies when the Canadian government began phasing out the coin in 2013. The penny’s durability appealed to Lisa, as did its metaphorical connection to her journey. “Ursa Mater”, like other artworks in the penny series is made of Canadian and U.S. coins. The predecessor to “Ursa Mater”, the penny covered grizzly bear “Ursa Major” is currently on view at the Smithsonian as part of the exhibition, “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man”. San José will be able to experience “Ursa Mater” in Paseo de San Antonio at Market Street by the Fairmont Hotel through the end of May.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.