Faux Bois Trees - San Antonio, TX USA
N 29° 27.752 W 098° 27.981
14R E 551744 N 3259350
Carlos Cortes has rediscovered the technique of forming concrete in to beautiful representations of trees, logs or other wooden objects. His sculptures now rival those of his uncle, Dionicio Rodriguez, who originated this faux bois technique.
Waymark Code: WM13YW3
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/16/2021
Views: 1
At the main entrance into the May's Family Center of the Witte Museum are two faux bois tree sculptures on either side of the decorative iron entrance gate. These faux bois trees were sculpted by Carlos Cortes, a relative of the originator of this false wood technique, Dioniciao Rodriguez. The sculpting of the concrete trees gives the look that they were molded to the last detail from real trees. The sculpted tree figures, when bare of vines and other vegetation, are a light brown coloring with detailed bark on its branches and any flaws, like knotholes, that are usually found on old trees.
At the time of posting this waymark, these masterfully formed concrete trees had vines growing up the trunks and into the faux bois branches. This changes depending on how the ground keepers maintain the surrounding vegetation and the time of year.
A large rock is among the landscape objects on the left of the entrance, when being viewed outside the gate. On this block of marble into which a metal plaque has been mounted. The text on this plaque stating the following:
"Nora & Steve
Burkhart Family
Faux Bois Trees
Carlos Cortex, Artist"
The Mays Family Center is one of the newer additions added to the Witte Museum campus when a major expansion of the Witte was completed in 2016. The Mays Family Center is focused on offering a large venue for is available to the public for "... multi-purpose and state-of-the-art by design, which makes is perfectly suitable for corporate events, foundation dinners, fundraising galas and large educational conferences."
The address of the Witte Museum and the Mays Family Center is 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. The Mays Family Center and these faux bois tree sculptures are on the North end (toward the right) of the Witte Museum campus.
Title: Faux Bois Trees
Artist: Carlos Cortes
Placement Date: 2016
Type of Object: Concrete representations of mature trees
Location: Witte Museum's Mays Family Center, 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
Material: Concrete, steel rods, paint
Website: Not listed
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