The Houston Arts Alliance had a tough time tolerating the intersection of Montrose and Allen Parkway, but at last they’ve gotten the job done. The organization’s commission more than 2 years ago for a pedestrian bridge across Buffalo Bayou connected to that corner, dubbed the Tolerance Bridge, was abandoned after a sea of complaints about both the name and design. The new bridge that opens today at that same spot is much simpler than the earlier proposal — and it’s simply called the Rosemont Bridge. But standing — or really, kneeling — guard by the bridge’s southern entrance today are 7 new sculptures by Barcelona artist Jaume Plensa that were given to the city by a small group of donors who aren’t going out of their way to advertise their identity. The name for the artwork: Tolerance.
The see-through figures face mostly toward the south, away from the bridge and across Allen Parkway, to a vacant site where the oft-flooded Robinson Warehouse once stood. Five years ago, the Aga Khan Foundation bought the land there and announced plans to build a new Ismaili Center on it, including lecture, conference, and recital facilities, a prayer hall and a social hall, offices, and gardens:
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Plensa’s see-through sculptures are built out of a mesh of letters in several different languages.
As Swamplot photographer Candace Garcia discovered, Montrose’s newest residents have already made a few friends:
The sculptures and the Rosemont Bridge will have their dedication ceremony this afternoon:
- Art beacons in the night [Houston Arts Alliance]
- Beautifying Buffalo Bayou [Houston Chronicle]
- Previously on Swamplot: Zero Tolerance for the New Buffalo Bayou Bridge, What They Were Hanging Over Memorial Dr. Last Weekend, New Buffalo Bayou Bridge Will Encourage Tolerance of Houston
Photos: Candace Garcia
The photo with the dogs? Excellent! All public sculptures should have dog friends.
Beautiful.
Thats pretty awesome!
Tolerance is the name and the sculptures, which almost look like what I imagine disembodied souls look like, are facing the future site of the Islamic Ismaili Center? Can we assume this was intentional?
What will happen if the artist discovers that the War on Terrorism is a fraud? Ironic that the Ismaili site is empty so and so the sculptures’ fixed gazes are aimed towards the Federal Reserve building down the street. Maybe he already knows..
I’m sure this won’t cause any trouble.
They definitely got my attention as I crossed AP a couple of days ago. Sometimes sculptures feel out of place or uninspired to me, but I thought these were perfect denizens of the spot.
I really do like the artwork but I’m curious as to the name. Tolerance. Did the artist actually name it and it was coincidental that the rejected name for the original bridge was identical?
Or did the mystery donors name it?
How long before they end up at C&D? I hope they are a lot more durable than they look.
I like them, but I love public art. I think the message of tolerance is good, generally, but I am a little suspicious of the concept with regards to the Islamic cultural center. I like to think that Houstonians are more open minded than to need this kind of…er… reminder.
BTW- is that center still going forward?
They look shiny and great today but who is going to keep them constantly cleaned from all the leaves and litter that the wind will blow into them and stick in those cool letters. I give them a year before they are relocated.
Wish I still had my hard copy, but this newsletter says nearby is a Tolerance Park (or area) as well.
http://www.buffalobayou.org/documents/BBPNL_Winter2010-4pg-d_000.pdf
I like the name Wind Tolerance better.
They are a fantastic addition to the neighborhood. Thank you to the generous donors! I love them.
These sculptures are fantastic, one of the better public art offerings in the area. There are light fixtures up-lighting the inside of each, making them glow internally at night and a great name to boot. Houston is a tolerant place in my opinion, with an extremely diverse population, just stay away from the comment section on chron.com, paints our city with such a racist brush – some of the things written there are unbelievable.
Seems like the ones always pushing tolerance are also the ones least likely to practice tolerance.
I like the sculptures – but do have a bone to pick. Namely, I’m not so crazy about the light fixtures that were installed to light the paths, etc. They throw off too much glare, which conflicts with the appealing glow of light illuminating the sculptures. Maybe a fixture with a more pronounced cut-off, or something completely indirect, or located up in the trees. Has to be a better solution.
I think the sculptures are great. Can’t say I’m really wild about the design of the bridge, but am ecstatic that it’s there at all. It makes the park much more usable — crossing on Studemont or Waugh (especially with a dog or stroller) isn’t much fun.
I’ll visit those today; the bridge(s) still weren’t open as of Monday.
i think they look pretty cool at night. i live in the area and would love to see the center built there, but i doubt that will happen. when i looked into this about a year ago, it appeared that the Aga Khan Foundation has land in several cities that are in contention for the next center. i suspect the Foundation is simply holding on to this land tax free until they decide to sell it to a developer. the tolerance statues will then likely face a starbucks, tanning salon, and CVS.
I checked them out over the weekend and don’t know why I find them slightly unsettling although thought provoking. Nonetheless, I don’t think they are long for this world as the construction of the thin welded metal and contact welds moved easy when touched and gave quite easy. If the graffiti and trash along the newley constructed path areas are any signs, I can almost be certain chucks of these letters will be adorning the homes of those in the area.
I love the scupltures, and all of the improvements in the area….but what is up with the bridges rusting? Is that real rust, faux rust, or tolerance rust?
DrS- totally agree re the lighting and the chron.com commenters.
I absolutely love these sculptures….I’m happy that we’re adding more wonderful art around town….
From htownproud:
when i looked into this about a year ago, it appeared that the Aga Khan Foundation has land in several cities that are in contention for the next center. i suspect the Foundation is simply holding on to this land tax free until they decide to sell it to a developer.
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The Aga Khan isn’t into “land speculation” and is committed to the center. This just isn’t the time. Economically or politically. But the time will come.
One of the commitments of the Aga Khan Foundation is to empower impoverished communities to become self-productive and self-sustaining communities. That of course scares quite a few. Actually helping the poor, instead of just sending them a little check each month, is just downright un-American.
If the other centers are any indication, the center will be one of the city’s most spectacular architectural treasures which will be enhanced by these scupltures.
Sure and worthy of replacing the first Sears, Site of Baylor College of Medicine. Philanthropic rhetoric until I see it, I’ll dismiss it wholly. And as of today Thursday February 17th the bridges still are not open. All this commotion and the bridges aren’t even finished…?
well said cm
one minor correction – the bridge is not being called harmony bridge.the bridge will be open/dedicated on 3.26.
The sculptures are awesome, I love them. Also love the dog pic…plan to take one this weekend with my German Shepherd. He loves the unofficial off-leash dog park at Montrose/AP.
This makes me so happy to be in Houston.
From RGR:
I checked them out over the weekend and don’t know why I find them slightly unsettling although thought provoking. Nonetheless, I don’t think they are long for this world as the construction of the thin welded metal and contact welds ***”moved easy when touched and gave quite easy”*** If the graffiti and trash along the newley constructed path areas are any signs, I can almost be certain chucks of these letters will be adorning the homes of those in the area.
Does this mean you tried to break/ vandalize the objects already?
buffalo bayou trail is the best of houston
ride the trail daily its awesome
See you there in a couple minutes, on my trek..