Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

ROXY PAINE'S "NEURON" FINDS PERMANENT SPOT IN NATURE AT FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., - May 24, 2011 - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park proudly announces its most recent acquisition, "Neuron" by American artist Roxy Paine. The colossal stainless steel structure stands at 41 feet in the Cultural Commons, an expansive meadow enclosed by trees. Installation occurred in mid-April and the site is now officially open to the public.

"It is an honor to be a part of this amazing collection and beautiful sculpture park," said the artist.

"Neuron," part of Paine's "Dendroid" series, is an abstract, re-imagined tree hand-constructed of approximately 3,500 stainless steel rods and cylindrical industrial piping commonly used in pharmaceutical and nuclear power plants.

Paine's juxtaposition of nature and industry is central to his acclaim as one of the most important sculptors of his generation.

"I strive for imagery that is between things nature and industry, science and art, but not quite comfortable in either world," said Paine.

Among the twenty globally sited Dendroid siblings, "Neuron" is unique. While most of the others more closely resemble trees, this one is the least literal and the most visually complex.

"Arguably, "Neuron" is the most compelling to date as a powerful abstract form that breaks freely from traditional representational imagery," said Joseph Becherer, Vice President and Chief Curator of Sculpture at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

"On one hand, it is not immediately linked to a natural form, nor is it directly connected to anything industrial, although it is something of both," said Becherer. "More than a complete enigma, it does suggest excitability and energy of its biological namesake. In one breath, such a sizeable and powerful branching form morphs confidently from nature to industry to biology."

Paine's sculpture is one of the most significant acquisitions for the organization in recent years and is the first major enhancement to the outdoor collection since 2002.

"Nature, sculpture, science and art converge in a highly original way for both the organization and the sculpture," said Becherer. "It leads boldly into new horizons for the collection."

This important addition to the permanent collection is a generous gift of Fred and Lena Meijer.