Thursday, February 23, 2017

Hidden Away


On the back side of the Phoenix Convention Center is a little seen work of art called the Hohokam Camshaft Gates.  Back in 1994, the city of Phoenix commissioned two artists, Robert Adams and Michael Maglich to create a set of gates for loading area of the convention center.  With a nod to the trucking industry, they designed the spindles on the gate to look like the camshaft of a diesel truck and in honor of the native Americans who were the first urban dwellers of Phoenix, they added the masks on the top of the gate.




The masks were sculpted by C. Matt Thomas and are based on prehistoric figurines crafted by the Hohokam Indians.






























It really is a fun piece of art that people seldom see since it's located on the back side of the convention center.

15 comments:

  1. What a pleasant sight. I would love to explore every spindle.

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  2. I'd say they fulfilled the brief very well! These are great, thanks Sharon!

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  3. I looked at the photo and thought ah cute little totem poll gates then realised the poles looked like camshafts, cool

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  4. But think of the unexpected delight that people, like yourself Sharon, experience when they discover them 😊 although all that gorgeous carving should be better placed to be more appreciated!

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  5. I love those! All the masks together would make a fun photo collage -- if you have lots of time. :)

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  6. I always loved that section of Phoenix, it had a clean, peaceful, feeling for me. Thanks for the memory.

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  7. They certainly are eye catching! What a great idea!

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  8. Love these masks, Sharon! And the quirky spindles too!

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  9. That is some beautiful art, it's too bad that it not seen unless you stumble across it. It is just wonderful and thanks for sharing it Sharon.

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  10. It is amazing the things you find to photograph. I love these.

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  11. These are excellent! The gates deserve to be seen in a more prominent location. Start a petition drive, Sharon.

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