Tesla (RENAMED "BIG TESLA" 2002

Description: A large, concrete sculpture in the shape of the head of Nikolai Tesla, who pioneered alternating current, serves as a planter.  Hand cut ceramic tile mosaic covers the sculpture and renders the features of the head.  Plantings provide a visual compass of “hair” growing out of the top of the planter.

Artist Statement: I decided to do a piece about Tesla because I wanted the art to relate to the electrical theme of the site.  I have done portraits throughout my career, and I liked the idea of doing a really big one. Having grass grow out of the top, for hair, seemed like a logical way to relate the piece literally to the landscape.  As the piece evolved, I realized that making the grasses seem to emerge from Tesla’s head was also a kind of visual reference to his enormous, ubiquitous contribution to the “domestication” of electrical power.