The Wonder of Dance (SOLD)
Sculpture by Arye Shapiro
Dimensions: 34"W x 58½"H x 21"D
Material: Aluminum wire, aluminum plate, mild steel plate, concrete
Date: 2016
Commission
Aluminum wire sculpture of three dancers on an aluminum base, supported by a welded steel pedestal on a square concrete base.
This sculpture was originally commissioned by Rodolfo Méndez, founder and artistic director of Ballet East Dance Company from 1978 to his death in 2019.
Rodolfo was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame in 2006. He received the Emma Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Award of Excellence in 2004. He was also named one of Austin’s Trailblazers by the Austin History Center and received the Cesar E. Chavez “Si Se Puede!” Award from PODER.
He lived his life in service to his community and greatly impacted many young Austinites in his dedication to teaching the Arts.
Please see the following articles and House Bill honoring Rodolfo after his death in May 2019.
https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/arts/2019-05-07/in-memoriam-rodolfo-mendez/
https://www.statesman.com/news/20190506/ballet-east-dance-group-founder-rodolfo-rudy-mendez-dies
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/html/HR01773I.htm
Aluminum shadow base: 34” long x 21” wide x 5/8” thick
Steel pedestal: 24” long x 24” wide x 42.5” high
Total weight: unknown (light sculpture and base on the heavy pedestal)