Thomas Strich - Brunelleschi's Window

 Tempe

Thomas Strich - Brunelleschi’s Window

1001 Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe (Tempe Town Lake)

Thomas Strich has a long relationship with art, but also with science.  He has been finding connections between the two disciplines in his work, emphasizing exploration and the search for knowledge and meaning.  Brunelleschi’s Window, part of a collection of pieces titled Window of Dialectic Views, is a great example of Strich’s combination of art and science.

Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) was an Italian architect who developed the art technique of linear perspective, which is used in 2-dimensional art to provide a sense of depth, adjusting the size of objects as they get further away from the location of the viewer.  Strich has presented Brunelleschi’s idea by creating a sculpture that resembles an open box made out of two squares, then placing cross pieces from the box’s edges that connect to an even smaller, third square.  This forces our eyes to that smaller square, giving us the perception of distance because of its size and placement.  A literal example of linear perspective, it is also geometrically beautiful, while at the same time framing a grouping of buildings on the other side of Tempe Town Lake.  The steel piece feels solid, with a large base, but the open squares on top balance out the sculpture with an almost fragile appearance.  

Window of Dialectic Views includes three other pieces with a similar look and scientific nod as Brunelleschi’s Window.  They can be found on the south side of Tempe Town Lake, to the west of Tempe Center for the Arts, along the multi-use path.  Brunelleschi’s Window is the third piece from Tempe Center for the Arts in this collection.  Parking is available at Hardy Drive.

Tempe Town Lake has a vast number of public art pieces to view as you go around the lake, as well as pieces at Tempe Beach Park.  Beautiful architecture and landscaping are also on display.  If time allows, stop by the Gallery at TCA which provides free art exhibits that emphasize works by local artists.

Check out more of Thomas Strich’s art at Thomas-Strich.com.

Last verified 01/2021.