Lost among the eucalyptus trees at UC San Diego stands the Red Shoe. It’s an enormous, vibrant sculpture, seemingly out of place. It looks like a giant ruby slipper dropped from a fairy tale. The Red Shoe was created in 1996 by Elizabeth Murray, a New York-based artist known for her abstract work. It’s part of the Stuart Collection at UCSD. This was Murray’s first freestanding sculpture. Her more familiar medium was painting. She often used warped and twisted canvases to create abstract shapes. Think bouncing coffee cups and flying tables. Here at the Red Shoe, faceted, colorful objects are scattered on the ground. They look like fallen jewels. The paths around the Red Shoe, by North Torrey Pines Road and Revelle College Drive, are less traveled. It’s a quiet corner of the campus, giving visitors a chance to fully appreciate the whimsical giant shoe. Elizabeth Murray, the artist, reshaped the way we view abstract art. She sadly passed away in 2007. The Red Shoe, however, remains. It serves as a vibrant reminder of her unique vision. It’s a playful splash of color in a world often too serious.
Firehouse Museum
Peeking out of the past is the San Diego Firehouse Museum. It is located in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy.