Public Art and Architecture from Around the World

Fort Mason – SEATS

Fort Mason
SEAT Exhibition
*
The James Caird by Lawrence LaBianca and Robert Buckenmeyer

“Bravery and courage saved the open boat journey of Ernest Shackleton and five companions”

The voyage of the James Caird was an open boat journey from Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands to South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean, a distance of 800 nautical miles. Undertaken by Sir Ernest Shackleton and five companions, its objective was to obtain rescue for the main body of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–17, trapped on Elephant Island after the loss of its ship Endurance. History has come to consider the James Caird’s voyage as one of the greatest open boat journeys ever accomplished.

Lawrence LaBianca is a New York City-born sculptor who now makes his home in San Francisco, where he shows with Sculptueresite Gallery. Lawrence creates metal, ceramic, wood, and glass objects and tool-forms that explore our relationship with nature through attention to craft, form, physicality, and the fluidity of the boundaries between these ideals. His work is both abstract and narrative, as the materials with which he works assume new and idiosyncratic identities.

Lawrence holds an MFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts, where he is currently a lecturer in interior architecture.

Comments

4 responses to “Fort Mason – SEATS”

  1. bfarr Avatar

    I think it looks like a big hand with the five ribs/fingers.

  2. RedPat Avatar

    This one looks quite comfortable and I like the history!

  3. Genie Avatar

    I love the idea of getting to sit on a piece of original sculpture. That is a pretty exciting idea. The bench is beautiful with those curved pieces attached to the back. Very nice. genie

  4. Lawrence LaBianca Avatar

    Hi Thanks for the comments on the bench. If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website for my artworks. http://www.lawrencelabianca.com