Phoenix Sculpture

My first blog post highlighted the importance of the Tower of the Sun as the central and emblematic structure of Treasure Island. I mentioned the fact that this iconic tower was adorned with a phoenix statue that sat atop the tower. This statue is one that is interesting in its symbolism and in its relationship to the Golden Gate International Exhibition.

Designed by Malmquist, the sculpture is quite gigantic – twenty feet high. The phoenix itself is an intricate form, and the artistic genius required is thus quite admirable. Given its large size, the detail in the head, neck, and wings confirms the level of complexity encompassed by this structure.

In addition to its artistic merit, this structure plays a significant representative role. A phoenix is said to be an imaginary creature, and in this nature, this opens up the discussion of the symbolism of this statue. There are a variety of theories regarding the iconographic choice of the phoenix. One of these theories is that the phoenix represents victory, and in this way, the Golden Gate International Exposition represents a sustained triumph over the 1906 earthquake and fire. The fact that the fair celebrated the East Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge reaffirms this notion of perseverance and ultimate achievement over hardships that faced the city of San Francisco. Others say that the proportion of the sculpture alone suggests a certain power and dominance representative of the exhibition. At a time where political turmoil plagued the globe vis-à-vis World War II, this phoenix structure celebrated accomplishments in various fields and stood as an optimistic image at the top of the entire island. In a way, it was a symbol for imagining and creating a better future, an implied goal of the Golden Gate International Exposition.

Neuhaus, Eugen. The Art of Treasure Island. Berkley, CA: University of California Press, 1939. Print.