A crane was lifted off the Dallas Museum of Art this afternoon, after it toppled over onto the DMA's south wall this morning. It just missed hitting the museum's iconic sculpture, "Ave" by Mark di Suvero -- the bright red piece made of steel girders that rests on the lawn.
Museum officials said the crane was being used to erect a tent for a special event. DMA director Max Anderson says the museum's Art Ball will go on as scheduled on Saturday, April 11.
The crane's operator was hurt and taken to Baylor Medical Center. A museum statement described him as "ambulatory" when the ambulance arrived. No other injuries were reported.
Video: Watch as crews move the crane
The top of the crane ended up atop the museum building's south side. Several pieces of siding were damaged; there are no estimates of damage yet.
The DMA's south end is closed; the rest of the museum is open as usual.
Ummmm... somebody forgot to weigh down the front end of that crane. #DMA A photo posted by @scottbrown920 on Apr 3, 2015 at 7:36am PDT
About Ave:
Artist: Mark Di Suvero (American, Born 1933)
Year Created: 1973
Weight: 12,000 pounds
Medium: Painted Steel
The piece was acquired by the DMA in 1976. It was first installed at the Museum’s Fair Park location and then installed in its current location on Oct. 10, 1983.
Exhibitions Prior to Arrival in Dallas: Villa Chalon-sur-Saone, France, 1972-1974; Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, France, 1975; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, 1975-1976.
In 2013, KERA's Jerome Weeks wrote about the di Suvero and other Arts District sculptures for Art&Seek.
Watch "In The Steel: A Portrait of Mark di Suvero":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpCROB5gH7I
