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"The Tulip", John C. Portman Jr.

Abstract Flower Towered Over The Roof
(1 of 11) (14154 views)

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This concrete flower towered over the roof of the 4 Embarcadero Center. Notice the spiral ramp that is part of the sculpture and provides access to all three floors. This shot was taken from a room in the Hayatt Regency Hotel.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 11:10:20 Thursday 7 January 2010)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCX_1049
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As The Fog Just Begins To Burn Off
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"The Tulip" on a foggy day with the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the background. The fog had just begun to burn off.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 11:51:38 Sunday 14 February 2010)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCX_1325
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Viewed From Inside The Center
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A view of "The Tulip" looking up from the top floor of the 4 Embarcadero Center. Behind the sculpture was the 4 Embarcadero Center highrise.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:16:17 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8255
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Base Of Sculpture Was A Garden
(4 of 11) (8419 views)

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The base of "The Tulip" sculpture was surrounded by a rich arrangement of foliage. That garden was itself surrounded by a small fountain, unseen here.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:16:25 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8256
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Arm Held Up Spiral Ramp
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Oner of the arms that held up the spiral ramp that led from floor to floor in the shopping area.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:16:28 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8257
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Small Lamps Lined Its Edges
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Small lamps lined the edge of "The Tulip" sculpture. They were off during the day, no matter how gray or overcast the day, but were lit at night.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:16:44 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8258
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A Sign Identified The Sculpture
(7 of 11) (8376 views)

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A water stained, chrome metal sign identified the sculpture as: "John C. Portman jr. (Georgia) The Tulip 1981 concrete."


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:17:46 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8262
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"The Tulip" Viewed From Top Floor
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"The Tulip" sculpture as viewed from the outdoor portion of the 4 Embarcadero Center. Here, the Hayatt Regency Hotel lay behind the sculpture.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:19:47 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8272
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Detail Close-Up Of Sculpture
(9 of 11) (8428 views)

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A detailed close-up of "The Tulip" sculpture. Note the cross braces in the center. Also notice how the lights are set into metal pieces that run the length of the interior edge.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:21:59 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8281
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Detail Of Top Of Sculpture
(10 of 11) (8506 views)

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A detail shot of the top of "The Tulip" sculpture. Notice how the interior bracing is box-like, whereas the petals are formed from relaxed curves.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:22:02 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8282
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Petal Tips With Lights
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The petal tips of "The Tulip" sculpture with their edging of small lamps.


The Tulip 1981   •  Material: Concrete   •  Artist: John C. Portman Jr. external link (Georgia)   •  4 Embarcadero Center external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Monday 18 February 2013)   •  (Photo taken 15:22:07 Sunday 24 November 2012)   •  © 2013 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #B12_8283
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