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Patty McCleary

Spotted

Jaume Plensa — Nomade
Jaume Plensa

Nomade

2007

Nomade is a monumental outdoor sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa depicting a seated human figure constructed entirely from interlocking white painted letters and characters drawn from multiple alphabets and writing systems. The open lattice structure allows light and air to pass through the form, dissolving the boundary between body and environment and inviting reflection on language as the fundamental material of human identity. The work exemplifies Plensa's signature exploration of communication, universality, and the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. It is a celebrated centerpiece of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, Iowa, part of a landmark donation of contemporary sculpture to the city.

Medium
White painted stainless steel
Dimensions

Notes

The sculpture is part of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, Iowa, which originated from a donation of 24 works by John and Mary Pappajohn to the city's art museum in 2009. The collection is described as one of the most significant outdoor sculpture collections in America, open 24/7 and free to the public. The social media post (via story_louise and atlasobscura) describes the collection as valued at $40 million.

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About this work

Jaume Plensa, Nomade, 2007

Nomade is a monumental outdoor sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa depicting a seated human figure constructed entirely from interlocking white painted letters and characters drawn from multiple alphabets and writing systems. The open lattice structure allows light and air to pass through the form, dissolving the boundary between body and environment and inviting reflection on language as the fundamental material of human identity. The work exemplifies Plensa's signature exploration of communication, universality, and the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. It is a celebrated centerpiece of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, Iowa, part of a landmark donation of contemporary sculpture to the city.

Medium
White painted stainless steel
Dimensions
314.96 x 314.96 cm
Year
2007
Seen at
Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Related themes

Living Artist, Blue Chip, Outdoor Art, Communication, Monumental, Conceptual, Figure, Installation, Identity, Public Art, Sculpture, Spirituality, Typography, Language, Portrait, Stainless Steel, Monochromatic, White, Spanish, Figurative, Minimalism, Contemporary

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