Modern Art

Today was simply brilliant. We attended the TEDxABQ 2013: Be Extraordinary! This was a wonderful series of lectures at Popejoy Hall, University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. For those of you outside USA, ABQ is of course the popular abbreviation for the city of Albuquerque.

Right in front of the hall and next to the New Mexico Student Union building, seven life-size bronze figures are shown, as they react to a 24-foot high contemporary stainless steel sculpture. Two couples feverishly discuss its merits. A man takes a seat on a nearby bench to ponder the shiny shape. One woman turns away – arms wide open, as if giving up on the entire concept. Another lone fellow scratches his head at the commotion.

This major interactive art piece is Betty Sabo's “Modern Art,” located in front of the Popejoy Hall. Sabo, 75, studied art at UNM in the late 1940s and was a renowned painter before she began to create the signature bronzes in her mid-60s.

Sabo commissioned her brother, Gary Beals of Phoenix, to create the stainless steel centerpiece. Beals, who graduated from UNM in 1955, creates only contemporary art.

We had seen and loved these sculptures, long before we knew about blip. They seemed to be a perfect subject to represent and remember the great series of inspirational lectures we were so privileged to hear.

Bigger sculpture.

Check out Paladian's blip to read a few words on the different lecturers who inspired and entertained us. You will soon be able to listen to these lectures on Ted's Channel on YouTube.