A Big Loon in St. Paul
I needed a place to practice with a new drone, so I found this huge Loon next to Allianz Stadium in St. Paul. I have a friend who can imitate a loon call very well - it’s kind of annoying.
But this sculpture is very cool. The whole are is being redone and looks amazing. 50,000 cut squares make up the sculpture.
“The Calling” by international artist Andy Scott stands in recognition of the State of Minnesota, its heritage and cultural diversity, and the importance and grandeur of its extraordinary natural beauty and resources.
The sculpture was completed in 2024, but its inspiration emerged in the artist's mind in 2022. The majestic and powerful sculpture combines artistic vision, sophisticated engineering, complex steel construction, and extensive handwork and modelling.
Completion of the artwork took over two years and involved dozens of craftsmen, metal workers, engineers, riggers and crane operators working with the artist to fulfill his design and vision.
The unique work of art has a self-supporting skin structure with some 50,000 individually cut and welded stainless steel "feathers". These are carefully composed in a three-dimensional mosaic technique that brings the final artwork to life. The finished sculpture weighs 25 tons, measures 89 feet from one wingtip to the other, and stands 32 ½ feet tall.
It was fabricated by the artist and his associates, Dyson & Womack, in Los Angeles, CA and transported 2,000 miles by road to its home here in Minnesota.
The artist said that he had one truly compelling vision for the project - and that was a representation of the Loon. He called it "symbolic of Minnesota, the natural environment that has helped define it, and the diversity of people who have called it home throughout its history". He added that "the Loon has a unique and enduring place in the hearts of all Minnesotans and is a cause for great civic pride".
The dynamic artwork was commissioned by the McGuire Family Foundation as the centerpiece of the University Sculpture Plaza at United Village.
Andy Scott's The Calling is a testament to our great state, people, strength and legacy - and the irreplaceable importance of nature and the environment for which we are stewards for generations to come.
