Located: Shapleigh Fountain (n16) - Download map
Date completed: 1999
Origin: USA
Medium: Polyurethane foam, resin, steel armature, ceramic tiles, glass, and tumbled stones
Height: 5 ft.
Weight: 380 lbs.
Installation sponsored by Macy’s

Additional Information

Many pieces in our exhibit are accompanied by an audio tour and downloadable podcast. Links to the audio files are provided below, as well as a transcript of the recording.

Why did Niki create smaller pieces? (mp3)
Phone: (314) 558-4357 - 12#

Niki was prolific in her production of large-scale sculpture and entire environments of art. But she also wanted to create pieces on a domestic scale that people could have in their homes. Chairs, Grand éléphant vase, and even the Oiseau amoureux are examples of this period of her work.

Oiseau amoureux inside the Climatron© was originally designed to be a giant kite for a worldwide traveling kite exhibition in 1988. Birds had a constant theme in Niki's work. She said some were immoral, sad, triumphant, hungry...or even in love.

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