Draft:Andrea (sculpture)

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Andrea is a monumental fountain sculpture by American sculptor Ruth Asawa. The work was created in 1966 and is located at Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco, California. Asawa's first public commission as well as her first major representational work, Andrea was built as a whimsical attempt to inspire wonder in children and adults. The work became highly popular, inspiring San Francisco residents to give her the affectionate nickname "fountain lady."

Her first public sculpture, titled Andrea, was installed in Ghirardelli Square in 1968. Though some of her designs in that period dismayed admirers of her earlier, abstract creations, her sculptures were so popular in San Francisco that residents dubbed her the “fountain lady.”

Design and materials

The fountain represents two mermaids amidst a variety of frogs, turtles, and lily pads.

Asawa sculpted the work from _____

Andrea is a notable departure from Asawa's most famous works: bulbous, hanging wire sculptures.

Her first public sculpture, titled Andrea’s Fountain, was installed in Ghirardelli Square in 1968. Though some of her designs in that period dismayed admirers of her earlier, abstract creations, her sculptures were so popular in San Francisco that residents dubbed her the “fountain lady.” In 2010 the public arts high school in San Francisco was renamed after Asawa to honour her commitment to arts education and her role in the arts in that city. <<https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ruth-Aiko-Asawa#ref1290312>>

Themes

The fountain bares a plaque that reads:

Then-owner William Roth selected Ruth Asawa, well known for her abstract, woven-wire sculptures, to design and create the centerpiece for Ghiradelli Square. Although it was unveiled amid some controversy in 1968, Asawa's objective was to make a sculpture that could be enjoyed by everyone. She spent one year thinking about the design and another year sculpting it from a live model and casting it in bronze. Although landscape architect Lawrence Halprin attacked Asawa's design of a nursing mermaid seated on sea turtles for not being a "serious" work, Asawa's intentions were clear. "For the old it would bring back the fantasy of childhood, and for the young it would give them something to remember when they grow old!

Then-owner William Roth selected Ruth Asawa, well known for her abstract, wowen-wire sculptures, to design and create the centerpiece fountain for Ghirardelli Square. Although it was unveiled amid some controversy in 1968, Asawa’s objective was to make a sculpture that could be enjoyed by everyone. She spent one year thinking about the design and another year sculpting it from a live model and casting it in bronze.

Although landscape architect Lawrence Halprin attacked Asawa’s design of a nursing mermaid seated on sea turtles for not being a “serious” work, Asawa’s intentions were clear: “For the old it would bring back the fantasy of their childhood, and for the young it would give them something to remember when they grow old!

I wanted to make something related to the sea...I thought of all the children, and maybe even some adults, who would stand by the seashore waiting for a turtle or a mermaid to appear. As you look at the sculpture you include the Bay view which was saved for all of us, and you wonder what lies below that surface.”

The most photographed feature of Ghirardelli Square, the fountain was named in honor of Andrea Jepson, the woman who served as the model for the mermaid.