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a 24 foot giant horse
 
The American Horse by Nina Akamu, 1998 (bronze)...at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
 
Akamu's giant bronze sculpture pays homage to the Renaissance Master--Leonardo Da Vinci.
 
The idea was born in 1977 when Charles Dent, an art collector, read an article in National Geographic about a sculpture of Leonardo's that had been destroyed before it was cast.
 
Dent and his team tried to recreate Leonardo's vision but failed due to anatomical and proportional design flaws.
 
Because of her reputation, as a celebrated contemporary American sculptor, Akamu was hired to correct these errors which led to a new design and the creation of "The American Horse".
 
With Akamu's extensive training in Renaissance art and Traditional sculpture techniques...
 
She first made an 8 foot model which was then translated into the 24 foot scale.
 
Both were cast in bronze, with the monumental version requiring more than 50 pieces.
 
Two 24-foot horses exist today...
 
One at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park...
 
and its twin in Milan at the planned site of Leonardo's original horse.
 
Visit www.meijergardens.org for more information.

The Frederick Meijer Gardens. 05/2009

 

Photos by Siagian.
COMMENTS
Waltinho said at 2:15 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
belle.
Waltinho said at 2:16 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
Tróia.
Lifequest22 said at 2:39 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
Most excellent. Love how your mix of photos take us along with your narration. Wonderful images and treatment. #4 gives us a great perspective on the enormity of this magnificent sculpture.
Wildthing said at 3:22 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
Amazing sculpture. And terrific pics & commentary, Woody.
Jesusgoz said at 3:28 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
Muy bien hecho.
Vwmel said at 3:38 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
Wow, your so good..teriffic...
Andre. said at 6:19 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
You really know your ways around things. Creative that is.
Fabio_DL said at 8:00 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
This is a masterpiece, Woody! And I am not talking about the sculptures... Great theme, photos, story, movement, and cute girl. Thanks so much!
Clydo said at 8:27 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
Great tabblo Woody, and very creative... after all it is just a 24 foot horse, but you got a great tabblo out of it... how does your mind think man?
Charlespop said at 10:17 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
Cool !
NavyMom said at 11:28 p.m. on Sep 21, 2009:
wonderful set. reminds me of the children's book title: the girl who loved wild horses
Hellodear said at 1:20 a.m. on Sep 22, 2009:
No doubt, it's an amazing set! wonderful experiments that ended with success!
Wow! to 3rd pic from the bottom.
Siagian said at 2:52 a.m. on Sep 22, 2009:
thank you everyone!

Linda, you're right, in pic#4 one can see that the horse is almost 7 times her height (about 4'6").

Clydo, thats a good question...lol!

Thanks all!
Eduardo.affonso said at 6:30 a.m. on Sep 22, 2009:
Bravo!
Chaitiamma said at 10:19 a.m. on Sep 22, 2009:
Great set, Woody !!!
Debdog said at 2:42 p.m. on Sep 22, 2009:
WOODY!!!!!!! WOWEEEEEEE! I LOVE THIS! impressive! :) very cool :)
Debdog said at 2:58 p.m. on Sep 22, 2009:
i love the American Horse opening image so much! and also 2nd last...love them all. :) so ...YOU!
Merja-zerga said at 3:52 p.m. on Sep 22, 2009:
Superbe.
Bravo et merci Woody.
ThierryKarine
Noe said at 2:20 a.m. on Sep 23, 2009:
Great tabblo Woody! the perspective of the first is terrific, the last it's beautiful too and your daughter portraits are lovely, very nice set amigo! :o)
Mirella said at 8:08 a.m. on Sep 23, 2009:
I like all the photos very much, very interesting, ironic technically very good; the last one show the 3 characteristics.Ciao ciao
Candlepower said at 12:52 p.m. on Sep 23, 2009:
That is huge. Wonder how they cast it? Great shots! Brilliant!
Ira said at 2:34 p.m. on Sep 23, 2009:
Cool experiments with the sizes and compositions! Very interesting
Leftofcenter said at 10:31 p.m. on Sep 23, 2009:
ah this is so cleverly done, genius.
Pkeener said at 1:14 a.m. on Sep 24, 2009:
well, how hard do you think it was to concentrate on your story about the horse and all that stuff while the images of your daughter are just too too cool? and then your trademark inanimate object looking so, well, so human, somehow..(last photo)


KILLER, Woody!
Snooway said at 3:35 a.m. on Sep 24, 2009:
wow, huge horse. great action shots with your daughter:)
21-gramm said at 10:52 a.m. on Sep 24, 2009:
exellent composition, Woody!
i love your POVs and all tabblos!
Siagian said at 11:51 a.m. on Sep 29, 2009:
Thank you for the kind comments everyone! =) Pam: i had to slip in some info about the sculpture somehow...!
HtD said at 11:07 a.m. on Oct 4, 2009:
Beautiful tabblo Woody. Is this the horse from Troye??
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