Richard Fleischner, St. Louis Project, 1989

trees, shrubs, mortar, limestone, grass, clover

Specifically sited at this entry point to the park, St. Louis Project is at once a barricade, hedge, gate, turnstile, terraced step and a “drivethru” monument. Measuring 425 feet long, the work consists of three stacked limestone elements and spans Laumeier’s access road into the neighboring business park. The artist’s intention was to create a visual and conceptual link between the properties by actively incorporating the passing vehicles. Resembling the mysterious Neolithic dwellings unearthed in sites such as Skara Brae, Scotland, and filtered through the precision of Brutalist urban concrete, each set of stone slab elements offer a sequence of carefully considered views. The artist has given meaning to this knoll, and through careful analysis of topography, he presents a subtle critique on both the aesthetics and permanence of our built environment.

St. Louis Project is part of Laumeier’s Ten Sites program from 1980-1990. Ten Sites was a unique program that brought together ten artists with tradespeople from the County Parks Department in creative collaboration.

Loan courtesy Citicorp.

Location: Museum Circle