Here are a few photos from late summer, 2023, soon after the giant deer was installed in Inman Square. I still hope to do a sequel post with perspective on the whole plaza, but these current quotes and links add fascinating facts about the sculpture and the sculptor!

“A crane carefully swung “Edge of the Forest,” a 12-foot-tall steel sculpture of a deer, into place in Vellucci Plaza, the heart of Cambridge’s Inman Square, on July 18. The sculpture’s creator, Mark Reigelman watched as workers anchored it into place.“(quote from Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? Cambridge Arts, August 2023)

“The Brooklyn-based artist’s idea for the 3,500-pound deer—and its title—were inspired by the history of this recently reconstructed and improved intersection where Cambridge, Antrim and Hampshire (which becomes Beacon in Somerville) streets come together….“(quote from Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? Cambridge Arts, August 2023)

“Reigelman’s deer design was assembled by Demiurge in Denver from laser-cut sheets of steel, welded together, and weathered to a rusty brown. Now trucked to Cambridge, the sculpture serves as a landmark in the reconstructed and improved square. ” (quote from Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? Cambridge Arts, August 2023)

“The deer stands as if it has paused to browse a clearing between the plaza’s new red maple, tupelo and sweetgum trees. The geometric steel sheets—which mirror “the exact angle of the historic intersection,” Reigelman says—seem to shimmer and disappear when seen from certain angles.” (quote from Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? Cambridge Arts, August 2023)

““Edge of the Forest”—which Reigelman has nicknamed “Leaf”—was funded via the City of Cambridge’s Percent-for-Art ordinance, which requires that 1 percent of costs of municipal construction projects be spent to develop public artwork.” (quote from Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? Cambridge Arts, August 2023)

“Mark Reigelman has exhibited work in public sites, galleries and museums across the country. His works, ManifestDestiny! (San Francisco, CA), White Cloud (Cleveland, OH), Wood-Pile (Cleveland, OH), Upriver-Downriver (Louisville, KY) and The Meeting House (Boston, MA) have been recognized by the Americans for the Arts as being amongst the 50 most compelling public works across the country. ” (quote from Artist Resume, MARK REIGELMAN website )

KEY RESOURCES:

Mark Reigelman, artist’s website with compelling display of his many other impressive projects

Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? Cambridge Arts, August 2023, informative source of several quotes above, plus great photos of sculpture being installed!

PLEASURES OF PLAYFUL PERSPECTIVES: ART BY MARK REIGELMAN AND MEREDITH JAMES ON THE GREENWAY, 2017 post ART OUTDOORS

Meeting House, Mark Reigelman, Rose Kennedy Greenway, images and information