How about a musical interlude? We are standing before the Virtuoso sculpture in Houston. This 36-foot-tall sculpture pays homage to music dance and performing arts.
The Virtuoso is a creation of artist David Adickes. It weighs 25 tons. It was installed in 1983 near the Lyric Centre building.
Let’s take a closer look. From Prairie and Smith Streets you see a giant cello. An invisible virtuoso seems to play it. Only his head and hands are visible. Behind the sculpture is a trio of musicians. They include a violinist bass and flute player. They accompany the giant cellist.
Did you know the Virtuoso has its own sound system? It plays classical music for everyone passing by. Adickes considers Virtuoso his favorite work. It was his first large-scale sculpture. It gained major public exposure.
Initially critics and residents did not like the sculpture. Over time it has become an iconic landmark.
Here’s a funny story. In 2005 someone painted the cellist’s mustache black. The property management group did it without asking the artist. Adickes and the arts community were not happy. The company provided a bucket truck and paint. Adickes repainted the mustache white.
In 2017 engineers determined the sculpture weighed 25 tons. They used laser scanner data. They also used nondestructive testing. The Virtuoso sculpture stands as a testament to art’s ability to transform public spaces. It sparks conversation and evokes emotion. It is a Houston treasure. A symbol of the city’s vibrant cultural scene.