Cupid's Span, Outdoor sculpture at Rincon Park Embarcadero, US.
Cupid's Span is a large steel and fiberglass sculpture located at Rincon Park along San Francisco's waterfront. The work depicts an outsized bow with an arrow partially driven into the ground, rising prominently above the surrounding promenade.
The sculpture was installed in 2002 following a commission by Gap founders Donald and Doris Fisher. Artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen worked together to realize this monumental creation.
The sculpture design incorporates elements of San Francisco's identity, with the bow's curve mirroring the Bay Bridge's suspension cables.
The sculpture stands directly along the public Embarcadero waterfront path, where visitors can view it while walking between the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge. The location is easily accessible and makes for a convenient stop during a waterside stroll.
The arrowhead points downward, piercing into the ground, which represents a deliberate artistic choice departing from traditional imagery. This inverted motif gives the sculpture an unexpected and thought-provoking quality that sets it apart from conventional monuments.
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