Oct 052011
Fire Station #44 Formerly #47
1298 Girard Street
This piece is titled “Diagonal Relief” by Elizabeth Saltos. According to Elizabeth she creates sculpture from a continually evolving series of geometric configurations using a visual alphabet of shape, color and surface in dialogue with its architectural environs.
This piece is on Firehouse #44. It was originally Firehouse #47 and is the oldest firehouse in the City of San Francisco still in use. The portion with the sculpture is a new section built in 1973.
The older side was completed and ready to be occupied in 1913. The two-story brick building, designed by John Reid Jr., has terra cotta cornices with acanthus leaf molding and brackets. “SFFD” and “No. 47” are embossed in terra cotta medallions on either side of the apparatus door. Small iron balconies embellish the three windows of the upstairs dormitory.
I like the idea of putting art on a fire hall!
I am just noticing that the sky always seems to be blue in your photos:) Love those little balconies…wonder if they ever had any purpose… The artist did well incorporating modern art into the architecture I think