How does everyone feel about the new entry sculpture planned for the Southeast corner of the Zoo?



For those not up to speed, the gate-like sculpture will be 130 feet long and 36 feet high. How's that for an entrance? They were designed by Albert Paley of Rochester, NY, and will be made of Cor-Ten steel. Some 60 animals are represented in the piece.



This week's West End Word has a picture of the sculpture, which will sit in a new entrance plaza.

From the tiny on-line pic shown at their website, I can't really tell. However, I like the idea of a new bold entrance. I am sorry they didn't follow through with the Forest Park entrances. Of course, I didn't get to see any detail pics of them either, so I might be wrong about that.

They showed a quick glimpse of the new entrance/sculpture on television last week when it was announced. It was hard to tell exactly how it would look and they didn't give many details as to how the entrance would be used. The rendering I have seen doesn't really show the entrance in context. There are also two main entrances to the Zoo now with ample parking, crosswalks, welcome desks, etc... There is also the entrance to the Zoo on the Northeast corner, which is seldom open.



I guess what I am asking, is this going to be a working functional entrance or more of a landmark and signage piece? I just don't want to see another entrance that is always locked up like the one I mentioned on the Northeast corner. I am sure they have already worked through all of this, but right now, I haven't heard much on the functionality other than there will be an accompanying plaza, which will serve as gathering space/entrance. Either way, as Expat said above, I also like the idea of a bold entrance.

Expat wrote:I am sorry they didn't follow through with the Forest Park entrances. Of course, I didn't get to see any detail pics of them either, so I might be wrong about that.

I have looked for those gate renderings online for sometime to no avail. I had them saved on another computer, but it crashed. I still have the harddrive... maybe someday I can see if it is still accessible.

From the little bit I have seen of the sculpture, I think it will be cool. I guess only time will tell.

This was an interesting piece of news from the St. Louis Business Journal reported in the September 02, 2005 issue --

Saint Louis Zoo officials will preview Sept. 21 plans for a landmark sculpture by world-famous sculptor Albert Paley and a new plaza that will welcome millions of visitors to the Zoo and Forest Park. The projects are being funded through leadership gifts from Thelma Zalk for the sculpture and Steve and Andi Schankman for the plaza. The sculpture, gates originally designed by Paley for the New York Zoo, were snapped up by Zalk for $1 million after a New York benefactor renegged. Zalk is the daughter of the late Dr. Jacob Probstein. Shankman is head of Contemporary Productions.

So we stole them from New York. That makes me feel good.

Expat wrote:From the tiny on-line pic shown at their website, I can't really tell.

Here is a larger format image of the sculpture. There is also an even

larger rendering (3,000 x 914 pixels) on the St. Louis Zoo's website:

http://www.stlzoo.org/downloads/Animals ... rcolor.jpg

Wow, that's interesting. Not really what I had pictured in my mind, but it should look pretty cool once it's put in.



It's always nice to see the Zoo doing what it can to keep things new and unique in the worlds best free zoo.

I can't wait to see it, too!

<A HREF="http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.a ... 0">Massive Sculpture Being Built For St. Louis Zoo</A>

created: 2/16/2006 10:04:06 PM

updated: 2/16/2006 11:07:55 PM



It is 136 feet long, 36 feet tall and weighs about 350-thousand pounds. It was designed by artist Albert Paley, and it's being built by welders in Buffalo, New York.



They started by building a small scale model, and then began work on the real thing. Now, eight months later, it's 95-percent complete.



It will take 14 flatbed trucks to transport the mammoth mammals, birds and fish. They should be installed at the zoo by late spring.



<A HREF="http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.a ... ryid=92320">>>> read more</A>

I think it's awesome.

I can't wait to see it - you see the reported numbers for how big it is and try to imagine the bulk of the thing. It's going to be pretty damn cool, imo.

200-Ton Sculpture En Route To St. Louis Zoo

created: 5/4/2006 10:11:20 AM

updated: 5/4/2006 10:12:45 AM



BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- A rolling menagerie of sculptured animals has begun its 800-mile parade from western New York to St. Louis.



>>> read more

Wow - serious impact! Where is it? I know the Southeast Entrance to the Zoo. But to clarify, is that near Hampton and 40? Can you see it from 40?

Expat wrote:Wow - serious impact! Where is it? I know the Southeast Entrance to the Zoo. But to clarify, is that near Hampton and 40? Can you see it from 40?

As you travel north on Hampton and enter the park, it is on your left. On the corner where you turn to go to the zoo's south parking lot.

This sculpture really turned out great. Should make a great entrance for the zoo and that part of the park. Now we just need some crazy gates for Forest Park to match this...

MattnSTL wrote:This sculpture really turned out great.

... and these photos only show one side of the sculpture, which itself is not yet complete. The way the entire sculpture is monochrome reminds me of the "Hidden Pictures" feature in the Highlights magazine for children. It really should be a nice sculpture once the entire plaza has been completed.

The sculpture is 1000 times better in real life, than in the rendering we saw. What a great entrance for our great zoo.

The artist will be lecturing at the Zoo Wed night, May 24th at 7:00.

Is this ?sculpture? going to remain rust colored?

Is it going to be safe for kids to play on? Designed for it? Fenced off? Looks like a huge tetanus hazard. All the other sculptures are really geared for the kids- climb on and take pictures etc?