“Where in North Texas?” is an occasional series that focuses on unique aspects of life in the North Texas region. First, we post a photo on Instagram and Facebook and give readers a chance to guess where in North Texas the image was taken. And we'll give you the answer in the story.
Lynn Rushton Reed, Dallas Public Art Program Manager for the Department of Arts and Culture, said the sculptures in Pioneer Plaza tell the story of where the city once was, while making way for a brighter future. I believe. He has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in downtown.
“It's about remembering a moment in time. It's about remembering the Shawnee Trail,” Reed said.
Named after the pioneer who founded Dallas in 1841, the plaza was created in the mid-'90s to honor the cattlemen who passed through Dallas on the Shawnee Trail in the mid-1800s.
“Just going out and talking to people, they come from all over the world,” Reed said. “And it's not just a convention. It's people who are going to come downtown to see this installation. So it's really loved by tourists and residents.”
Texas artist Robert Summers created this historic sculpture.summers, He was selected for this work based on his success recreating images inspired by Texas ranching and cattle-driving traditions.
This sculpture symbolizes the Lone Star State's cowboy culture, as Texas' cowboy history is deeply intertwined with the state's identity and rich heritage and cultural significance.
As Texas developed, the cowboy became a symbol of the rugged, wide-open West and a central figure in driving cattle along the roads. The cowboy era of the 1870s and 1880s was a time when their way of life was defined by the demands of trail driving and the friendships that developed between them.
Located in front of the Dallas Convention Center, the plaza is surrounded by native plants, trees, a flowing stream, and a cow statue depicting 40 longhorn steers led by three cowboys on horseback. It is characterized by a pressed bronze statue. Each bull has a different appearance, from their facial expressions to their hooves. However, they all have one thing in common. That is, there is a “D” stamped on the side of Dallas.
But what stands out about this sculpture is its representation of the diversity of cowboy culture.
“There are three cowboys on horses. There's an African American, an English trail leader, and a Hispanic vaquero,” Reed said. “And when you look at the Anglo-cutter at the top…he should remind you of Rodin’s work.” thinker In Paris. He takes us back to his 19th century and his horseback pose is no different. It's a kind of art history play. ”
Reed said she hopes the sculpture will continue to highlight the city's history.
“The culture was inclusive,” Reed said. “We hope that people who come here will see the richness of this history and want to learn more about all the people involved in Dallas' history.”
