Propylaea, (sculpture).

Propylaea, (sculpture).

Hadzi, Dimitri, 1921-2006, sculptor.

Sasaki & Abramovitz, fabricator.

Propylaea, (sculpture).

1980. Dedicated 1982.

Fountain: granite.

Fountain: approx. H. 35 ft. x W. 32 ft.; Pool: approx. 1680 sq. ft. (100 tons).

A fountain sculpture, standing over three stories tall, composed of two columns of three vertical slabs of rough-hewn stone topped by a cross bar, forming a massive symbolic gateway. The stone slabs vary in color, texture and size. The sculpture rests at the head of a lighted reflecting pool. Water flows over the sculpture through spaces in the stone and is pumped up in spurts around the base, giving the effect of little bubbles. Scattered around the base are four large boulders in various colors, sizes and textures. One boulder rests on one side and three others are on the other side of the central sculptural element. A granite bridge or walkway extends over the pool using smaller, flat stones; and a large flat boulder, acting as a bench, rests out of the water to the side of the sculpture.

Allegory -- Place -- Toledo

Outdoor Sculpture -- Ohio -- Toledo

Owens-Illinois, Building Services and Maintenance, One SeaGate, South side of World Headquarters Building, Toledo, Ohio 43666

The fountain was commissioned by Owens-Illinois for their World Headquarters Building located in the SeaGate development area near Toledo's riverfront. On plaques located on plaza overlooking pool and at each end of walkway over pool: PROPYLAEA/1980-82/DIMITRI HADZI, SCULPTOR/AMERICAN B, 1921/This granite sculpture named from the Greek word/for "Gateway" was commissioned by Owens-Illinois to stand/as a symbolic entrance to Seagate and a revitalized Toledo./Historically, Toledo has been a gateway to exploration, invention,/transportation and industry that has helped to forge our nation,/and the promise of its future is typified in Seagate. The reflecting pool is drained and cleaned every winter and the surrounding boulders are covered. IAS files contain a SeaGate press release about the sculpture and a related article from The Blade (Toledo, OH), July 15, 1980.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Ohio, Toledo survey, 1994.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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