June 30, 2007

Cole Field House, Art Deco Reliefs, 1955

All Pictures - I strongly recommend to visit the link and enjoy the images in high resolution

These reliefs are embedded in the facade of Cole Field House (an indoor stadium with almost 14,596 seats) at the University of Maryland, and according with the purpose of the building depict various sports activities. This may be a rather late example of art deco, but the geometric rendering of the figures and the ancient goddess figure clearly define the style. The "heroic" representation of sports is also reminiscent with works of art from the New Deal era (and even with Social Realism). Could these reliefs be a relic of an early design for the building which was approved before World War II but was not implemented until early 1950s?

Basketball. The figures are disproportionate, so the goddess looks more like a mother watching kids playing.


Boxing. In terms of proportions, boxers would be taller than basketball players!


Swimming. Notice the proportions again, how tall would the swimmers be if they stood up straight?


Wrestling. Interestingly, this is one of the two "classical" sports depicted here (boxing is the other). The other two are modern.


Even the Maryland coat of arms have been stylized in Art Deco. This is especially evident in the face of the fisherman (right figure).


Unfortunately, I cannot recollect the original location of the reliefs on the facade, except that Maryland coat of arms is in the center.

No comments: