Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
George Sugarman
Baltimore Federal
1978
— Painted Aluminum: 45' × 45' × 20' —
April 1, 2023
1. George Sugarman Marker
The colorful dynamic form of Baltimore Federal was inspired by the elaborate and extravagant shapes of Baroque sculpture of the 17th century. The bright, vibrant colors and intertwining pieces of the sculpture invite the viewer to interact freely with the work in the words of the artist:
"The openness and accessibility of the forms and the variety of experiences they allow and needing no special knowledge to understand this work of art are concepts, which I feel are vital to public government interaction."
Located at the entrance plaza of the Edward A. Garmatz Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Baltimore Federal is a reminder that the law draws life into its more rigid contours.
George Sugarman (1912-1999) is acclaimed internationally for his polychromatic sculptures. His art education began after the World War II when he studied in Paris on the G.I. Bill with cubist sculptor Ossip Zadkine. While in Europe he was influenced by Baroque architecture. He returned to New York in 1955 and began exhibiting his sculpture. Sugarman was one of the first major American sculptors to spurn the traditional use of the pedestal and to place the sculpture directly on the ground in the space of the viewer. His innovative style uses sequences of small forms that combine
this page online
Erected by U.S. General Services Administration, Art in Architecture Program.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.
Location. 39° 17.243′ N, 76° 36.991′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Inner Harbor. Marker is at the intersection of South Hanover Street and West Lombard Street, on the right when traveling south on South Hanover Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 S Hanover St, Baltimore MD 21201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Restoration of 200 & 202 W. Pratt Street (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mob Scene (about 600 feet away); Inspired Words (about 700 feet away); Baltimore College of Dental Surgery (about 700 feet away); City Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Building a City and a Nation: At the Crossroads (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wilkens Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Theodore R. McKeldin (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
April 1, 2023
2. George Sugarman Marker
April 1, 2023
3. Baltimore Federal
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2023. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 3, 2023.
