Plaque for the sculpture, which reads in part: "This artwork is owned by the City of Portland and maintained by the Regional Arts & Culture Council."
Leland I was designed by Lee Kelly and Bonnie Bronson, and marked one of the former's first large scale public artworks.[2] In addition, Ron Travers from the architectural firm Travers-Johnston served as architect and Robert Gardner from the McArthur/Gardner Partnership served as landscape architect. Pioneer Enamel was the contractor and David Cotter was an assistant.[3] The welded Cor-Ten steel and vitrified porcelain sculpture was completed during 1973–1975 and installed in the American Plaza Towers courtyard (called American Plaza),[2] at the intersection of Southwest 2nd Avenue and Lincoln Street, in 1975, having been commissioned and funded by the Portland Development Commission.[1][3]
Plaque for the sculpture, which reads in part, "City of Portland Development Commission / South Auditorium Urban Renewal Project".
The abstract, geometric sculpture is constructed from three square and rectangular forms.[1] Overall, the installation measures approximately 30 feet (9.1 m) x 20 feet (6.1 m) x 15 feet (4.6 m) and weighs 15,565 pounds (7,060 kg).[3] Its pieces measure 115 inches (2.9 m) x 96 inches (2.4 m) x 56 inches (1.4 m) (east), 90 inches (2.3 m) x 67 inches (1.7 m) x 132 inches (3.4 m) (middle), and 20 feet (6.1 m) x 55 inches (1.4 m) x 56 inches (1.4 m) (west), respectively.[1] The installation features lighting also designed by the artists. Leland I was surveyed and considered "treatment needed" by the Smithsonian's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in January 1994.[3] In 2010, it was restored to address structural issues and saved from deaccession.[1] Funding for the conservation efforts was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, residents of the American Plaza Towers, and Kelly patrons.[2]
Reception
According to the Regional Arts & Culture Council, which administers the work, the sculpture is considered a "seminal" piece in the City of Portland's public art collection.[1] It has been called "temple-like" by art ltd. magazine and "striking" by the Oregon Arts Commission.[4][5]