“Monument to the Phantom” is what the French call it. Here at Discovery Green, we stand before the George R. Brown Sculpture. It is one of Houston’s treasures. This artwork is a vibrant testament to imagination. It is officially called Monument au Fantôme. That means “Monument to the Phantom” in French.
The George R. Brown Sculpture is part of Jean Dubuffet’s Hourloupe series. You can find similar sculptures in New York, Chicago, and Europe. The Dan Duncan family donated this sculpture to Discovery Green.
Jean Dubuffet was an internationally known French sculptor. He passed away in 1985. That was two years after the George R. Brown Sculpture was completed. Dubuffet wanted to share new ideas. He did not want to rely on “cultural clichés.” He found inspiration in the art of outsiders. Dubuffet called this “L’Art Brut.”
Notice the large, free-form shape. Look at the red, white, and blue colors. The George R. Brown Sculpture sits proudly on Avenida de las Americas.
The George R. Brown Sculpture features seven shapes. These represent different parts of Houston. Can you spot them all? There is a church. There is a hedge and a chimney. You can also find a dog, a phantom, a tree, and a mast.
The George R. Brown Sculpture uses painted fiberglass over steel frames. The tallest piece reaches 33 feet high. This sculpture was first displayed at 1100 Louisiana. It moved to its current spot in Discovery Green in 2008.
The George R. Brown Convention Center is nearby. It is named after Houston entrepreneur George R. Brown. His Texas Eastern Corp. donated land to build the center. The convention center has 1.85 million square feet for meetings and events. It hosts major events like the World Energy Congress and the Super Bowl.
The George R. Brown Convention Center reflects Houston’s futuristic attitude. Its design draws inspiration from NASA and the Texas Medical Center. It also reflects offshore drilling rigs. The building replaced the Albert Thomas Convention Center.
Take a moment to appreciate the George R. Brown Sculpture. It invites us to see Houston in a new way. It blends the real and the imaginary. It embodies the spirit of our city. It is a place where innovation and creativity meet. Let this artwork inspire you.