"Big Scoop", "Large Shovel"

Meijer Gardens presents the largest public scoop exhibit in Grand Rapids history.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the most significant sculpture experience in the Midwest and an emerging cultural destination on the national scene, is pleased to introduce the never-before-exhibited PALETTA GRANDE ("Big Scoop", "Large Shovel") by Francesco Nicola Sansovino, in his grandest public art exhibition to date. His artistry debuts in the United States exclusively at the spectacular Frederik Meijer Gardens world-class gardens and sculpture park.
"Meijer Gardens is delighted to bring art into our community by presenting Francesco Nicola Sansovino in Grand Rapids, an exhibition that complements the history and significance of Leonardo Da Vinci's great horse 'Gran Cavallo' and expresses nature's call as we all can relate," said Joseph Becherer, curator and director of the Sculpture Program at Meijer Gardens. "We are pleased to work with Fondamento per la Scultura Naturale (Foundation for Natural Sculpture) to bring about this important piece of whimsical imagery. A very big horse makes for very big poop and very big poop calls for a very big scoop. Sansovino's grand vision is now fulfilled, to see us smile at ourselves and find playful delight in the creativity of art in all its frolicsome forms, even mischievousness."
Displayed at ground level which allows for easy visitor interaction, the 12 x 12 foot scoop with 22 foot handle is an awesome triumph, inspiring gasps and grins by adults and children alike. Visitors can pick up an educational brochure at the exhibition podium or visitor information desk and page through the exhibit literature describing the history and chronology of PALETTA GRANDE — "From Scoop Thought to Scoop Reality." The exhibit also features PALETTA MINIATURA, a 1/8th scale replica interactive display. Visitors can discover in miniature how a stack of flat aluminum sheet metal can unfold and transform into a 3 dimensional GRANDE scoop.
For more information, visit the exhibit web site at: http://palettagrande.blogspot.com