International public art exhibit ‘Wings of the City’ lands at Fresno State

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"El Teimpo" green patina bronze sculpture by Jorge Marín depicts a winged man with hollow eyes

Read the full story at FresnoStateNews.com

Along Fresno State’s Maple Mall, bronze mythical creatures have taken perch, silently watching the bustle of campus life. With wings unfurled or caught in mid-motion, the beings invoke curiosity, potential and empathy while inviting individual interpretation and meaning in their existence. The five bronze sculptures are centrally showcased along the Maple Mall and will remain for the enjoyment and enrichment of students and community through August 2025. 

“Wings of the City” by world-renowned Mexican artist Jorge Marín was officially introduced to the community at a special event at Fresno State on Sept. 16. 

President of Fresno State Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
President of Fresno State Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
Executive Director of the Fresno Arts Council, Dr. Lilia Gonzales. Chavez.
Executive Director of the Fresno Arts Council, Dr. Lilia Gonzales. Chavez.
Director of the Center for Creativity and the Arts Chris Lopez.
Director of the Center for Creativity and the Arts Chris Lopez.
Representative from the México Consulado en Fresno speaks at the press conference.
Representative from the México Consulado en Fresno speaks at the press conference.
Two representatives from the México Sonsulado En Fresno stand with Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer Deborah Deborah Adishian-Astone, Executive Director of the Fresno Arts Council Dr. Lilia Chavez and President of Fresno State Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
Two representatives from the México Sonsulado En Fresno stand with Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer Deborah Deborah Adishian-Astone, Executive Director of the Fresno Arts Council Dr. Lilia Chavez and President of Fresno State Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, Dr. Honora Chapman and President of Fresno State, Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval takes a photo of the El Tiempo sculpture.
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval takes a photo of the El Tiempo sculpture.

“The wonderful Wings of the City installation along the Maple Mall reminds me of what many Greek and Roman cities must have looked like in their heyday, with great public sculptural programs to inspire the people with the myths and legends of their gods and heroes,” said Dr. Honora Chapman, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State. “I find our students’ hope, inspiration, freedom and dreams about to take flight in these gorgeous bronze sculptures.”

The exhibition enables a vital link between student artists and community members, facilitating an environment where visitors can unexpectedly engage with art and reflect on its significance. Through exposure to art and culture on campus, students and the greater community can explore new avenues of creativity that can shape their professional trajectories. 

“The symbolism of wings has a strong association with mythology and spirituality that transcends cultural and religious boundaries,” said Chris Lopez, director of the Center for Creativity and the Arts at Fresno State. “I am looking forward to inviting K-12 groups and other local art organizations to see this exhibit on campus.”

Bernardo Oriental - 2006 | 7.8 x 8.5 x 3.2 ft - Part of a series of winged creatures, this sculpture possesses unique characteristics, such as the position of the body, as if captured at the moment it is about to stand and take flight. Upon his head is an aviator's hat; the dream of flying materialized into the human condition.
Bernardo Oriental – 2006 | 7.8 x 8.5 x 3.2 ft – Part of a series of winged creatures, this sculpture possesses unique characteristics, such as the position of the body, as if captured at the moment it is about to stand and take flight. Upon his head is an aviator’s hat; the dream of flying materialized into the human condition.
Equilibrista 90 Monumental - 2005 | 3.9 x 1.5 x 4.2 ft - Able to perform actions and movements that seem impossible, this sculpture symbolizes the perfection of the human body. The mask invites us to project ourselves onto it as it reminds us of the coexistence between humans and their environment.
Equilibrista 90 Monumental – 2005 | 3.9 x 1.5 x 4.2 ft – Able to perform actions and movements that seem impossible, this sculpture symbolizes the perfection of the human body. The mask invites us to project ourselves onto it as it reminds us of the coexistence between humans and their environment.
El Tiempo - 2010 | 6.0 x 7.8 x 5.5 ft - Observers of this sculpture are left to wonder whether it is building itself or dissolving by its age. The composition, modeled in Classical proportions, reminds us of archeological ruins; broken objects that wait for us to tell the story behind them.
El Tiempo – 2010 | 6.0 x 7.8 x 5.5 ft – Observers of this sculpture are left to wonder whether it is building itself or dissolving by its age. The composition, modeled in Classical proportions, reminds us of archeological ruins; broken objects that wait for us to tell the story behind them.
Angel Persélidas Monumental - 2009 | 8.3 x 8.5 x 2.6 ft - The name of this sculpture reminds us of the Perseids, an annual meteor shower named for the constellation Perseus. In this winged being, we might find the delicacy of those meteors, symbolizing a union between heaven and earth, the divine and the human.
Angel Persélidas Monumental – 2009 | 8.3 x 8.5 x 2.6 ft – The name of this sculpture reminds us of the Perseids, an annual meteor shower named for the constellation Perseus. In this winged being, we might find the delicacy of those meteors, symbolizing a union between heaven and earth, the divine and the human.
El Abrazo Monumental - 2006 | 7.2 x 6.9 x 2.1 ft - An intimate moment of absolute compassion and devotion. Two bodies that strive to become one. In this sculpture, a winged man holds a woman who seems to be slipping away from her, as if he's witnessing her last breath from her in a moment of transcendence.
El Abrazo Monumental – 2006 | 7.2 x 6.9 x 2.1 ft – An intimate moment of absolute compassion and devotion. Two bodies that strive to become one. In this sculpture, a winged man holds a woman who seems to be slipping away from her, as if he’s witnessing her last breath from her in a moment of transcendence.

In 2010, Wings of the City was originally exhibited in Marín’s home country of Mexico and since then, has traveled around the world through cities in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and, now, Fresno. 

The exhibit is sponsored by México Consulado en Fresno, Diplomacia Cultural de México and the Instructionally Related Activities program at Fresno State.

Read the full story at FresnoStateNews.com

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