Ron Baron's artwork Stratigraphy is a major focal element at the new Bascom Library & Community Center. The artwork, cast bronze with richly-hued patinas, is set against earthy, patterned stone.  Located in the central covered plaza designed for gatherings and celebration,  Stratigraphy seems to emerge upward from out of the ground and wraps up and around the elevator bay to the 2nd floor landing.

Detail of cast bronze objects (G. Case).

Baron worked closely with the community in developing ideas and imagery for the artwork. He sees Stratigraphy as a celebration of the Bascom Avenue area community. The artwork suggests the idea of a cut-away at an archeological site that reveals a social history. An array of cultural artifacts tell a visual story of the area's culture and history in a vertical chronology: at the base, Native American baskets and acorns pay homage to the original Ohlone inhabitants; gold-mining pans, bottles, various fruits, cans and canning equipment, radios, electronic testing equipment, a historical survey of both MAC and PC computers and much more convey the region's subsequent eras. Stratigraphy also captures the pulse of activities in the Bascom Library and Community Center facility through familiar objects: balls and athletic equipment for the community center, and books that could be found in the library.

At the apex of the artwork an actual bronze fruit tree (in homage to the area's rich agricultural heritage) sends roots down into the stratum, and "blooms" figures from trophies; Baron included this as a whimsical suggestion of growth and aspiration, built on a foundation of "that which came before." Actual objects, some contributed by community members, were used in the creation of the artwork.

Detail of cast bronze objects including sporting equipment. (G. Case)

The Bascom Library & Community Center is located at 1000 S. Bascom Avenue. The Community Center is now open to the public for Summer 2012 activities; the Library will open at a later date.

More information about artist Ron Baron may be found at www.ronbaron.net 

On Exhibit at City Hall 

 

Welcome to Coyote Creek

 

A view of Coyote Creek. (M. Budziak)

An exhibit initiated by a group of San Jose

Click here for more information about this exhibit. 

Location: City Hall Wing - 1st Floor Corridor 

On display during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM through July, 2012

The Healthy Art Program: An Energy Smart Exhibit

The Art Inspector, taking away 'high carbon footprint' materials from artist's studio.

The Healthy Art Program, an ongoing project created by The Art Inspector Danielle Siembieda, is aimed at assessing the energy consumption, material use and environmental impact of art making and at

educating artists about lowering their carbon footprints.    

Click here for more information about this exhibit.  

Location:  City Windows Gallery     

(In the storefront exhibit space along the 4th Street side of the City Hall complex. )

On display daily - all hours.  

Seven Days in San Jose  

An exhibit of photographs from the San Jose/Yekaterinburg Russia: Sister Cities Cultural Exchange that took place last year between artists from San Jose State University and Yekaterinburg Russia.

Click here for more information about this exhibit. 

Location: San Jose City Hall Mayor's Lobby Gallery - 18th floor of City Hall    

On display 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday through Spring 2012.

Rotating exhibits at City Hall are presented by the City Hall Exhibition Program, a project of the San Jose Public Art Program.  

All exhibits are free and open to the public.  

 The San Jose City Hall complex is located at 200 East Santa Clara Street,

between 4th and 6th Streets in San Jose. The exhibit spaces are located in various sites throughout the complex.

Explore Public Art in Downtown San Jose 

Create your own walking tour!