Description of and background on “Leap”, a work of public art created by Denver artist Lawrence Argent for the Sacramento International Airport.
Arriving back in Sacramento from an out-of-state visit with family, I was very happy to see “Leap” (aka the Red Rabbit). Seeing Leap (as it is formally named) meant to me that I was home.
It was great to spend quality time with close family and to attend the wedding of one of my nephews. However, “there is no place like home” rings true for me. No matter how much I may enjoy a vacation or out-of-town trip, it is always great to return home.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
About Leap
Leap, located front and center in Terminal B at the Sacramento International Airport, was created by sculptor Lawrence Argent of Denver. Argent has sculpted a number of public works of art – all notably large.
Suspended by “invisible” cables, Leap is constructed of aluminum and is 56-feet long, 19 feet tall, and has a 15-foot diameter. The massive red rabbit was fabricated in 14 sections.
The red rabbit is one of two parts of the sculpture. The rabbit is positioned to appear to be diving into a suitcase that seems to have a liquid vortex opening on the top. The second half of the sculpture – a granite suitcase – is located on the floor of baggage claim.
According to the Metropolitan Art Commission website “The rabbit is red to emphasize speed and our inherent desire to get our “stuff” as quickly as possible”. That is exactly how I feel when I get off a plane after a long flight! How about you?
Leap debuted with the opening of Terminal B in 2011. I remember at the time – like most public art – there was a bit of controversy. Both the subject matter (a giant red rabbit?!?!) and the cost ($800,000) were railed against.
To Sum Up
To sum up, I happened to like Leap from the start – and I would guess that even if you did not – that Leap has “grown” on most if not all of you over the years. At any rate Leap is certainly, in my opinion, one of Sacramento’s most iconic public works of art.
As An Aside
As an aside – the most recent Sacramento public art controversy has been the acquisition of Coloring Book #4 by Jeff Koons, and its installation at the Golden 1 Center (aka the Kings arena). See related post Coloring Book #4 – Sacramento Public Art (part of an occasional series).
Comments on Leap?
What was/is you opinion of Leap?
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I love the Koons art piece Leap. It’s bold color and sense of fun is a delight. I happen to like his fun style. It’s always good to give people something to ponder and why not ponder the artistic merit of a giant red rabbit? Isn’t that what art is often meant to do? Create thought? This may be controversial in some ways but only because the value of art is invariably subjective-/ and it cost a lot. Who doesn’t ponder what they might do with $800,000 if they had it. I do.
Thanks for the comment Charr. You are right about the value of art being subjective – whether it was $800,000. for the acquisition of Leap in 2001 or the $8 million for acquisition of Coloring Book #4 (aka Piglet) in 2016.