Untitled by Anthony J. SmithThis abstract sculpture is a sphere held up by a pair of large hands. Set in niches around the surface of the sphere are fourteen life masks of people who live in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. The artist’s face and the face of Father Boedekker are also included in the sculpture. The bronze sculpture stands on a low, circular concrete base.
This photo was taken through a fence. Boeddeker park is in one of the most crime ridden areas of San Francisco. The park is not open on the weekends and has very limited hours during the week. There are 3 other sculptures in the park
Father Boeddeker was a Franciscan Priest that started St. Anthony’s Dining Room nearby.
This piece is owned by the San Francisco Arts Commission. It cost $20,000 and was dedicated on the first anniversary of the park: May 16, 1986.
UPDATE 2013 – As of July the park has been completely razed. A new park design addresses community concerns, including improved safety, active and passive recreation opportunities for all ages, and beautification elements. The renovation will replace aging play equipment that is inaccessible and noncompliant with the Americans with Disability Act, a clubhouse with significant visibility issues, and a major lack of green space. The new park will also feature a full-size basketball court, play area, fitness equipment, new large lawn, seating areas, gardening beds and a brand new clubhouse.
Construction is expected to last approximately 18 months.
As I find word of what is to happen to the art I will keep this site updated.
Now this I really like! Not sure why, but it has some charisma to it…so sad that because of crime the park has such limited hours. Sometimes I think life is getting more difficult and then I read a bit of history and find that’s not true; it’s just a little different. The crazy, rotten nogoodniks have always been out there in the streets and the boardrooms.
Re your comment on Stone Creek: LOL. No, not a prison gang, and usually you don’t see someone standing around … most of our maintenance crew work alone or in small groups, pretty much on their own. Sometimes I get stuck playing golf with racist clowns who will make snide comments about these people, calling them “illegals,” etc. I point out that there is no evidence they are illegals. Many of them are women who work out in the elements year round (in the blazing sun in the summer) for relatively small pay and yet they always have a smile for you.
I bet it would cost more than $20,000.00 this day and time. What an interesting piece of sculpture which I can look at and understand. Now, the name “Tenderloin District” is a bit unusual Were there meat packing houses and slaughter houses in that area years ago. I really do like the sculpture, and your capture of it is superb. genie
Nice capture even through a fence. I was going to say, I don’t see any people on the park bench. It’s probably not a place I would walk around with my camera, but glad someone is capturing the area.
I’m really moved by this piece. I don’t go to the Tenderloin that much.
I like this piece but feel sad about the park. They should make part of it an off leash area for dogs since that always seems to discourage the badniks from hanging around when there are a pile of people with dogs watching them!
I really like the piece. Too bad it has to be enclosed and kept away from the hoodlums.
Love that. I know what you mean about taking photos through a fence! Enjoyed your explanation of the sculpture. 🙂 Happy Sunday!
How sad. Lonely park benches with no people to sit upon them.
Every time I visit you renew my love affair with this city.
[…] the surrounding architecture of the Tenderloin. The red brick creates an aesthetic link to nearby Father Boeddeker Park. The geometric pattern of the ‘eternal wave’, symbolizing the ebb and flow of life, can be […]
My face is the top center one 🙂 I was 13 years old when they cast our faces. We represented all ages, races, and walks of life from the Tenderloin at that time. It was a great experience!