‘Wings of the City’ sculpture walk at Fresno State: a contemplative morning on an inspiring campus

---

The figure of a gymnast, perfectly balanced atop a globe, evokes humanity’s potential and its destructive tendencies. The striking 90-degree angle and the pointed mask, reminiscent of plague doctor masks, inspired a sense of ironic fragility. The acrobat’s precarious balance embodies the delicate equilibrium we strive to maintain—poised between greatness and collapse.

This incomplete winged figure in a crouching pose conveys a sharp contrast between the body and wings. The fragmentary body—its face and limbs dissolving, apparently ravaged by time—speaks to mortality, while the wings imply a transformation. I was fascinated by the figure’s eyes, which offer different perspectives depending on where you stand, reinforcing the idea that time’s impact on us is relative.

Inspired by the Perseids, the meteor shower named for Perseus and the idea of “falling stars”, this figure, also balanced on an orb, exudes a relaxed, almost contemplative energy. The angel’s resting posture, wings slightly outstretched, suggests moments of recovery before the next great feat. It felt as if the figure was an athlete-warrior recovering from a battle and an archangel observing the Earth below. The celestial quality of the piece evokes a sense of cosmic solitude, as if suspended between the divine and the earthly.

The most emotionally charged of the works, this sculpture captures an intimate, almost sacred embrace between a winged figure and a human woman. The tender connection feels like a moment of solace amidst exhaustion, its grand scale amplifying its emotional depth. The figures called to mind Michelangelo’s Pietà, evoking the human need for compassion. This embrace speaks to the power of shared empathy in the face of adversity.

Each of these sculptures offered me a chance to reflect and also to engage in my own art practice as a novice learner in the visual arts. My meager sketches are hardly accomplished work. But they do offer a way for me to intentionally consider the ideas of the art as I transfer the figures onto a page. The practice provides the time, space, and focus to engage more deeply with the art in front of me.

Engaging with art and nature on campus 

One of the most striking features of Fresno State is how art integrates with the campus landscape. As I wandered through the Wings of the City exhibit, I was reminded how many local photographers, like Fresno State librarians David Drexler and Kat Koziar, have found inspiration in this space. Both Drexler and Koziar approach the sculptures from their own distinct photographic styles, capturing moments and angles that reflect their interpretations of the work. Their photographs show how the campus is not just a place to observe art but a source of creation itself.

As a location for engaging with art in public spaces, Fresno State’s campus is ideal. The campus’s park-like grounds are open to the public and feature a variety of public sculptures and murals. During weekends or breaks in class schedules, the stillness of the campus offers a unique opportunity to connect with the environment in a way that’s harder to experience during the bustling academic year. And with free parking during the weekends and breaks, it’s the perfect time to explore the public art installations and natural beauty the campus offers.

The campus is also an arboretum, and home to nearly a dozen unique gardens, copses, and water features, making it an ideal spot for nature sketching or reflective walks. The gardens, with their varied plant life, create a peaceful atmosphere perfect for artists looking to capture the essence of the season. Whether sketching the lines of leafless trees or the delicate reflections in fountains, the natural beauty of the Fresno State campus provides endless inspiration for artistic exploration. 

All for free. 

Together, public art like “Wings of the City” and local art enthusiasts can create a rich tapestry of learning and ideas, provided they engage not just visually but emotionally and philosophically with the art offered to them in their community. 

The “Wings of the City” sculptures by Jorge Marín will be on Fresno State’s campus through summer 2025 if you would like to view them in different seasons. They are located on the Maple Mall, just off the Maple Avenue roundabout. Parking on campus is free after 4 p.m. on Fridays, on the weekends and on State holidays throughout the year. 

________

¹ As Willie Nelson might say

The Munro Review has no paywall but is financially supported by readers who believe in its non-profit mission of bringing professional arts journalism to the central San Joaquin Valley. You can help by signing up for a monthly recurring paid membership or make a one-time donation of as little as $3. All memberships and donations are tax-deductible. The Munro Review is funded in part by the City of Fresno Measure P Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund administered by the Fresno Arts Council.