Santa Clara University and The City of Santa Clara Collaborate on The Mechanical Horse Installation
SANTA CLARA, Calif., September 21, 2023—SCU•Presents at Santa Clara University and the Cultural Commission of the City of Santa Clara are thrilled to bring The Mechanical Horse by Adrian Landon to Santa Clara University and the community from September 25, 2023, to January 21, 2024.
Combining art and engineering, The Mechanical Horse is a temporary art installation, featuring a life-size mechanical horse that gallops at a natural gait. Visitors activate the horse via a button and observe the mechanical movement inside the amazing moving sculpture.
"On behalf of the City, I want to express how excited we are to partner with Santa Clara University to bring the captivating art installation, The Mechanical Horse, - a bronco, of course, to our city,” said City of Santa Clara Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor. “This collaboration not only enriches our cultural landscape but also symbolizes the enduring spirit of innovation that defines our city and university. Together, we embark on a journey to inspire creativity, spark curiosity, and celebrate the convergence of art and technology right here in Santa Clara."
A public reception with the artist will be held Monday, September 25, from 4-5:30 PM in the Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation (SCDI) North Lobby on the campus of Santa Clara University (500 El Camino Real Building # 402 Santa Clara 95053) A brief program with remarks from City of Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Santa Clara University President Julie Sullivan will take place at 4:30 PM.
The exhibit is free of charge and is open 6:00 AM–10:00 PM daily except for Thanksgiving, (11/23–11/26) and the SCU academic holiday closure (12/22/2023–1/1/2024).
Parking is located in the Santa Clara University main parking structure.
About The Artist
Adrian Landon is a metal artist born and raised in New York City. He studied at the Art Students League in New York and the Academy of Art in San Francisco. In 2019 he received the Honorarium Grant from Burning Man to make Wings of Glory, a giant 35' tall mechanical Pegasus that galloped and flew in slow motion, on fire. He currently lives in Reno NV., and makes art at the Generator, a communal maker space.
About SCU•Presents
SCU•Presents fosters opportunities on the Santa Clara University campus to teach students, engage audiences, and promote understanding through the performing arts. Created to facilitate artistic exchange between artists in the fields of dance, music, and theatre, SCU•Presents encompasses programming from the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Department of Music, and the Arts for Social Justice Initiative, as well as select Visiting Artist Series programming. In addition to presenting the works of these university programs, SCU•Presents serves an important role within the local community by offering affordable venues to Bay Area arts organizations and educators.
About The City of Santa Clara Cultural Commission
The City of Santa Clara Cultural Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to the enhancement of multicultural experiences and the beautification of the City through art. The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on programs/activities to encourage educational, cultural, sports, technical, and governmental exchanges to help acquaint citizens of Santa Clara with cultural diversity here and abroad. To contact the Cultural Commission, email CulturalCommission@santaclaraca.gov.
Media Contact
Butch Coyne | SCU•Presents | bcoyne@scu.edu | 408-554-4073
Lisa Robinson | SCU Media Communications | lrobinson2@scu.edu | 408-551-3601