Take a deep dive into the fascinating art and objects featured in Pixel Bridges, the new web game inspired by our latest exhibition, Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture!
To celebrate the opening of Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture, we partnered with Broken Egg to develop a free web game inspired by the work on display at Crystal Bridges. Dash through the halls of Crystal Bridges and jump and duck your way through the vast collection of works on display. Remember – don’t touch the art!
Interested in learning more about the specific pieces represented in Pixel Bridges? Read along to discover the interesting histories and meanings behind the artworks chosen for the game, and explore them for yourself at Crystal Bridges!
Hamish
Hamish may not be a painting or sculpture, but his presence at Crystal Bridges is just as iconic as our most treasured pieces. This feline friend and unofficial volunteer spends most of his days exploring the museum grounds and trails. Also known as Famous Hamish, he lives near Crystal Bridges and has gathered quite the online fanbase – be sure to look out for this cool cat on your next visit!
Flowers That Bloom Now
Illustrated with bright, vibrant colors and hypnotic polka-dots, Yayoi Kusama’s fiberglass flowers dazzle guests on the Orchard Trail at Crystal Bridges. Kusama uses flowers in her psychedelic sculptures as symbols of universal interconnectedness – each flower is unique in their own right, yet part of a connected, larger set.
Rooster
Initially intended for use on a carousel, this sculpture was crafted by Gustav Dentzel, a German immigrant and entrepreneur who learned woodworking from his father. Originally a cabinetmaker, Dentzel quickly shifted towards designing and sculpting carousels. This sculpture is particularly rare due to the intricacy of the carved feathers.
Crater Moon
An unusually complicated piece of ceramic art, this sculpture by Toshiko Takaezu is reminiscent of the moon’s craterous surface. Takaezu believed that good art carries mystery and spirit – Crater Moon reflects this philosophy through its unique yet impractical design. What mysteries do you envision when you study this piece?
Abstraction: Kiowa by Design
These high-heeled sneakers feature beadwork representing a Kiowa woman in traditional clothing. The artist, Teri Greeves, was trained in traditional Kiowa and Shoshone beadwork art and applies beadwork to common, non-Native objects. Just as the high-heeled sneakers present a clash of fashion and functionality in footwear, viewers are prompted to examine the tensions in Native American design.
Holy Grail
This monumental 5-foot, 6-inch cluster of quartz crystals was originally mined in 1931 in West Central Arkansas, an area known for its rich history of crystal mining. As the largest cluster ever mined in Arkansas, its renowned reputation justifies its bold title. The transparent luster of these crystals invoke curiosity – how do they make you feel?
Large Snail
Italian American sculptor Beniamino Bufano used smooth, round shapes and animal figures to create many of his public art displays. Bufano believed art should be “big enough to belong to everybody” – this bronze snail is a testament to his philosophy, delighting viewers of all ages with its simple yet whimsical design.
Wisteria Table Lamp
Produced in 1905-1906 at the Tiffany Glass Company, this intricately designed mosaic lamp features a base resembling a tree trunk and carries a fascinating history. Designed by Clara Driscoll, a renowned designer who led a department of young women known as the “Tiffany Girls,” her role in creating Tiffany lamps was not fully recognized until recent discoveries of letters confirmed her contributions.
Kindred Spirits
Painted in 1849 as a tribute to his recently deceased friend, artist Thomas Cole, Kindred Spirits by Asher B. Durand emphasizes the kinship of nature and life. Cole viewed landscapes as areas where one could communicate with God and the divine, which adds context to the meticulously detailed scenery on display.
Hanging Heart
Created as part of artist Jeff Koons’s Celebration series, Hanging Heart is a shiny, ultra-reflective sculpture that embraces celebrations like Valentine’s Day, as well as the whimsy and wonder of joyful childhood. While crafted to appear like a balloon, this stainless-steel piece actually weighs more than 3,000 pounds.
Azure Icicle Chandelier
Designed specifically by Dale Chihuly for its space at Crystal Bridges, this dazzling chandelier uniquely plays off its own surroundings. Unlike traditional chandeliers, Chihuly’s shiny works reflect light off their surfaces, adapting to the nearby water and glass.
Untitled (Hanging Four-Lobed Continuous Form within a Form)
Meticulously crafted and large in scale, this hanging sculpture by Ruth Asawa was influenced by Mexican wire baskets and features organic shapes sculpted out of iron wire. Look closely – the exterior and shadows casted reveal smaller forms tucked within!
What We Want, What We Need
Utilizing traditional Native American beadwork placed upon a punching bag, this sculpture by Choctaw artist Jeffrey Gibson highlights the influences of multiple cultures on creative art. Using a blend of contrasting art techniques, Gibson creates an exploration of opposites that doubles as a symbol of Native American culture – persistent and powerful despite past abuses.
Now that you’re familiar with the many artworks featured in Pixel Bridges, be sure to dive back in to the game, keep an eye out for these interesting pieces, and sprint your way towards a new high score!