Open air sculpture coming to Cincinnati Art Museum’s Art Climb

CINCINNATI— The first set of outdoor artworks will soon be added to the Art Climb, the one-of-a-kind civic and art space on the grounds of Cincinnati Art Museum.

Monumental in stature and presence, a sculpture from artist Chakaia Booker and two pieces from Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum’s collection will be installed in the next two months. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is the region’s premier sculpture park and outdoor arts venue, located on more than 300 acres of scenic grounds in Hamilton, Ohio.

Chakaia Booker’s LBD Duty Free (2014) is a 16-foot-high twisted sculpture made of discarded rubber tires and stainless steel. She is known for her integration of discarded construction materials into large, outdoor sculptures and uses various tire tread patterns, colors and widths to create her palette. This work will be placed in the grass at the base of the Art Climb, close to the intersection of Gilbert Avenue and Eden Park Drive.

Barton Rubenstein’s Skybound (2012) is a brushed stainless steel sculpture that stretches 30 gleaming feet high. Rubenstein is a modernist sculptor and environmentalist who has completed more than 90 works of public art around the world, and who focuses on elements of nature including water and kinetic energy. This work will be placed on the top plaza of the Art Climb, closest to the museum’s parking lot.

Tony Rosenthal’s Cube (1997) is a formidable matte blackened steel sculpture measuring 9 feet across and set on its corner at a seemingly gravity defying angle. Rosenthal was an abstract sculptor known for creating numerous works of public art over a seven decades-long career. This work will be placed on the highest landing within the Art Climb steps.

“Pyramid Hill is thrilled to partner with the Cincinnati Art Museum on the Art Climb,” said Sean FitzGibbons, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park’s Executive Director. “This partnership is the perfect example of how art institutions can work together to complement our individual missions. We are excited to share sculptures from our collection to be showcased in such a beautiful new addition to downtown Cincinnati.”

During this time of social distancing, sculpture parks and other outdoor attractions are having a true moment in the sun. Since its opening on May 7 the Art Climb has been the most visited arts venue in the city, welcoming more than 120,000 visitors in its first three months.

Additional art installations are planned for the future. In its next phase of construction the Cincinnati Art Museum is adding an ADA-accessible ramp to connect the plaza with the top landing of Art Climb so all visitors can more easily enjoy the views of artwork and the surroundings. Another work of modern sculpture will arrive at the front entrance of the museum this fall as well as part of the reimagining of the front arrival court and front parking lot improvements.

Cincinnati Art Museum’s Art Climb was made possible by many generous donors including support from the Procter & Gamble Fund and the Cincinnati Development Fund.

Pyramid Hill is a 300+ acre sculpture park with 80+ monumental outdoor sculptures displayed in a landscape of rolling hills, meadows, lakes, and hiking trails. The park also features an Ancient Sculpture Museum that displays Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Syrian and Egyptian sculptures dating to 1550 B.C. The Museum Gallery hosts exhibitions by local, regional and national artists. Pyramid Hill is also the only museum you can experience in an Art Cart! Attracting more than 30,000 visitors annually, Pyramid Hill serves as the largest cultural tourist attraction in Butler County. The park is open 365 days a year (weather permitting) and provides summer programs for children, as well as numerous special events throughout the year. Visit pyramidhill.org for more information.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is supported by the generosity of individuals and businesses that give annually to Artswave. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Cincinnati Art Museum with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Cincinnati Art Museum gratefully acknowledges operating support from the City of Cincinnati, as well as our members.

Free general admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is made possible by a gift from The Rosenthal Family Foundation. Special exhibition pricing may vary. Parking at the Cincinnati Art Museum is free. Regular museum hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org for more information.

Cincinnati Art Museum
http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org