Spire by Andy Goldsworthy — Attraction in San Francisco

Resembling nature in its use of material, well renowned British artist Andy Goldsworthy Spire lives on the highest point of San Francisco’s Park Presidio. It is made up of 37 fallen trees that have outgrown their age to be safe in the park. They convene at a 15ft-diameter circular base, tapering up 100ft into the sky. Unlike Goldsworthy’s sculptures that consist of site specific material carefully re-constructed with his hands, he directed large cranes and the Park’s forestry staff with the help of a walkie-talkie and a pair of binoculars to construct this massive sculpture. This was made possible by Haines Gallery and the FOR-SITE Foundation, a non-profit art organization dedicated to promoting art about place. While the solid foundation of this sculpture made from concrete and metal framing represents the strength and growth of the trees in the park, the remainder of the park is in the works of re-forestation.

Like the deconstruction of many neighborhoods and communities in San Francisco, one by one cypress, pine, eucalyptus trees are taken down because they have reached an age that is considered to be unsafe for the park. New less-invasive trees will be planted to help rebuild the forest. The way the Presidio was colonized with new trees without considering its terminal effects reflects the re-colonization of neighborhoods being made everyday in the city. Spire symbolizes the hope and regrowth in the park, but just like the rest of the park overtime it will either decay or be taken down by hand in the very nature of the sculptures.

Goldsworthy’s vision of Spire provided hope to Presidio Park for their new forestation to thrive and outgrow the sculpture. When taking a trip to see this art piece, the main hiking trails branches into two pathways that both lead to Spire. It is surrounded by a paved walkway for people to carefully observe in a close radius without intruding other plants and trees. The trees that surround Spire are thriving exactly the way Goldsworthy intended; gradually crowding the sculpture with its greenery, making it harder for viewers to see a full portrait of the sculpture. As a result, people are stepping on planted areas to get a full view to photograph. Red flags and cones are placed to restrict viewers from stepping round the trees growing around the site. Bark on the sculpture is slowly stripping off and eaten away in intricate patterns by termites. The cracks between the trunks at the base of the tree trunks show the growth of moss and decay happening from the inside. Only a matter of time until this decaying sculpture will grow to be unsafe once again.

Andy Goldsworthy was always inspired by spires such as building from cathedrals, where the tips of the spire tapers into the sky, being visible at far distances. Resembling the many other manmade spires in San Francisco, Goldsworthy created Spire as an addition to San Francisco’s skyline. The Transamerica Pyramid, St. Ignatius Church, and Andy Goldsworthy’s Spire point out major parts of San Francisco that represent three major influences of urbanization in the Bay Area.

An iconic building in San Francisco’s skyline, the Transamerica Pyramid stands boldly in the financial district representing the wealth in San Francisco’s city. Exponential rise in the cost of living and overcrowding has become a rising issue to residents of the city. Based on San Francisco’s socio-economic profile in 2010, Presidio was ranked the highest medium household income with $122,748, in comparison to Bayview, with $44,962. With Presidio medium income almost tripling that of its neighbors, the demographic is 80% White, 8% Asian, and 2% Black, While, Bayview is 12% White, 33% Asian, 32% Black. With the disparity of wealth in the city, gentrification starts to limit what is accessible to...

Didn't take the trail and tried to shortcut my way to the Spire from the street... big mistake on my end. Had to trek through an unpaved path with tons of obstacles just to get to the viewing spot, trying my best not to trample the many plants in my way. In the end, the struggle was worth it, because the Spire is breathtaking.

It's interesting to see natural materials take on such an unnatural form. It blends in with the surroundings, but also looks so out of place, so oddly perfect, balanced and even, taking the shape of a spire. Its towering height and dark colors make it ominous just to be around. It's hidden away enough that you have to seek it out, but stands out just enough for you to notice it peeking among the trees.

There are a few benches surrounding the Spire, and a small rope fence to keep people from touching it. Not a good place to spend a long time, but you can be in the presence of the Spire for a couple of minutes.

Overall, I think it is one of the best of Andy Goldsworthy's works that...

I love Andy Goldsworthy's work. His art is usually closely intertwined with his photography as a way of capturing the ephemeral nature of his creations. Some of his pieces only exist for minutes before they are gone.

So it might seem odd that he created Spire, a far more permanent installation. But the more I thought about it, I realized this exhibit is hardly permanent. It's already starting to decay, succumbing to insects, rot, and even a fire in 2020. Eventually it will no longer be safe to continue standing and will be removed. This is part of its beauty and Goldsworthy's intention.

It will live on like all of his work...in photographs. Only now, documented by viewers, thousands of people who have stumbled across this beautiful tower constructed from the dead carcasses of invasive trees planted long ago.

If you're in the Presidio for any reason, take a few minutes to stop by Spire. Sit for a while and examine what it means to you...before it no...