Pearl of the Pacific (1998)
James T. Hubbell, et al.
DESCRIPTION: mosaic "pearl" fountain, sculptural walls and archway, and mosaic hardscape installation consisting of:
This large public art installation was created as a symbol of unity between San Diego and its Sister Cities of Yantai, China, Vladivostok, Russia, and in Mexico and the United States. Architecture students from these countries participated in the project, with Hubbell serving as artistic director.
- "pearl" fountain (central feature) consisting of a white ceramic mosaic “pearl” orb, surrounded by an 18-foot diameter ceramic mosaic pavement medallion depicting four quadrants of the Pacific Rim that includes creatures and symbols from San Diego's four sister city countries (e.g., Mexican Quetzalcoatl, Russian Siberian tiger, Chinese dragon, and American shore bird;
- pair of free-standing concrete walls in a Chinese fan design, with embedded terra cotta, shells and ceramic mosaic;
- freestanding concrete and ceramic mosaic "fan" sculpture;
- archway of cast concrete pillars supporting a copper verdigris forged iron archway in a Russian lace-work design;
- concrete benches with ceramic mosaic seat surfaces
This large public art installation was created as a symbol of unity between San Diego and its Sister Cities of Yantai, China, Vladivostok, Russia, and in Mexico and the United States. Architecture students from these countries participated in the project, with Hubbell serving as artistic director.
LOCATION: 1407A Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, California, USA
