Downtown Tucsonan - February 2008 - (Page 29)

Yesterday is Tomorrow the view from the museum’s East Entry Plaza (Plaza Militar) is a metaphor for tucson’s eclectic, multi-cultural past. Like the city itself, which blends and accepts different cultures, the plaza accommodates both historic anglo and Mexican contemporary without being overly thematic and monotonous. Plaza Militar derives its name from the 1775 spanish Presidio where soldiers drilled their horses. today it displays some of tucson’s finest public art and offers one of the most significant views of the city. the life-sized mounted cowboy bronze in front of the education center called “Yesterday is tomorrow” by Betty salatto stands in obvious contrast to “solar Power” the abstract yellow corten steel sculpture by Jerald Jacquard. notice how the yellow of the sculpture matches the west face of the nearby transamerica Building. Looking northwest on Meyer avenue from the minimalist blue gate reveals an authentic spanish colonial streetscape in the heart of a modern city. the backdrop of the old town artisans building and the simple row houses on Meyer avenue are not accidental. the large hand-painted tile and mosaic mural “El alma del Pueblo” (the soul of the Pueblo) mounted on the wall of the tucson Museum of art Education center is inset with a silver hand-shaped milagro. the work was created by students of alex terraza and Gonzalo Espinosa. the combination of hand-painted blue tiles framing an art nuevo mosaic panel --the design elements right out of Mexico city’s oldest neighborhoods, yet the overall combination is compelling and contemporary. It shouldn’t be missed. Z Mansion the Zellweger or “Z” Mansion looks like an English sheep dog dressed in evening clothes, yet the overall impression is elegant. the wedding-cake-blue exterior is trimmed with stately white balustrades; the inside entry hall is done in peacock wallpaper with a mirrored ceiling so the bridal party can admire themselves. a large veranda reminiscent of Hemingway’s home in Key west is available for sit-down dinners. weddings take place in a little gazebo in the shady garden that also can accommodate more than 100 people. an outside stairway allows the bride to make a dramatic entrance from a room on the second floor where the final preparations are being made. originally constructed in 1898 by charles white, the attorney General of the arizona territory, the residence on 288 n. church avenue became one of tucson’s finest mansions. after wright’s death the Zellweger family, millionaire cattle barons, occupied the mansion for 73 years. Left in disrepair, the structure was rescued in 1974 by Margaret carmichael, a co-owner of secretariat, the famed race horse who won the triple crown. today it is the private home of bestselling author and columnist, thomas Langdon Hill and his wife Emmeline. El Presidio Plaza My tour ended at the large plaza between city Hall and the old county courthouse. It was packed with people celebrating the Family arts Festival. the cold air was filled with the smell of carne asada and pulsing vibrations of Middle Eastern music. a temporary stage was set up to accommodate five belly dancers, performing what looked like the dance of salome and the seven Veils. the enthusiastic audience ranged from a 3-year-old girl dressed with translucent fairy wings to an octogenarian, duded out in a western outfit. the center of the park is dominated by El Presidio Fountain, a cast concrete and mosaic sculpture/fountain designed by architect Michael Lugo. the 25-foot-high installation looks like a celebration to broken concrete water mains. But the story is in the base: the colored inlaid designs represent abstract images like ferns and dinosaur fossils from ancient inland seas, symbolizing the crucial importance of water from the pre-cambrian age to the present. whether the artist intended it or not, the base is perfect for kids to play or pose for pictures. If it’s a windy day, they can even get their face splashed. . I’m always impressed by the subtitles of downtown; go fast and you miss them. february.08. downtown tucsonan 29 http://www.bohemiatucson.com http://www.bohemiatucson.com

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Downtown Tucsonan - February 2008 Contents From the Editor Downtown Lowdown Vital Signs Downtown Restaurants & Cafes Downtown Live Arts Galleries Performances Film Events Museums Historic Downtown Downtown Travelogue Billboard Classifieds

Downtown Tucsonan - February 2008

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