Shopping Malls
Modernist Shopping Mall Architectural Sculptural Commissions
Fredericks was one of six artists commissioned by the regional department store great J.L. Hudson Company to design sculpture for Northland Center in Southfield, Michigan. Designed by Cranbrook alumnus Victor Gruen, when it opened in 1954 Northland was the country’s largest shopping center.
In a 1981 National Archives Interview, Fredericks stated: “[Victor Gruen] and his staff were very art conscious and they thought that sculpture would really enhance the architecture, and they were right because it made architecture more personal and related to people better. People don’t like to go shopping in just a cement building. If it has something that appeals to their eye and is more friendly and warm and maybe has a little fun connected with it I think they enjoy it more. That was the reason I did the Bear and the Boy there.”
Fredericks carved the original bear in limestone and the bronze casting of the boy is gold-plated.
The sculpture was moved indoors to the Southfield Public Library in 2016 after the shopping mall filed for bankruptcy and was sold.
Fredericks was one of six artists commissioned by the regional department store great J.L. Hudson Company to design sculpture for Northland Center in Southfield, Michigan. Designed by Cranbrook alumnus Victor Gruen, when it opened in 1954 Northland was the country’s largest shopping center.
In a 1981 National Archives Interview, Fredericks stated: “[Victor Gruen] and his staff were very art conscious and they thought that sculpture would really enhance the architecture, and they were right because it made architecture more personal and related to people better. People don’t like to go shopping in just a cement building. If it has something that appeals to their eye and is more friendly and warm and maybe has a little fun connected with it I think they enjoy it more. That was the reason I did the Bear and the Boy there.”
Fredericks carved the original bear in limestone and the bronze casting of the boy is gold-plated.
The sculpture was moved indoors to the Southfield Public Library in 2016 after the shopping mall filed for bankruptcy and was sold.
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Stone carvers using the plaster model as a guide for carving out the rough form of the bear from limestone
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Fredericks Boy and Bear sculpture
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“Please climb the bears!”
magazine article |
George Romney seated on the Boy and Bear sculpture
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Stone Magazine featured Fredericks Boy and Bear sculpture on the cover
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Northland’s 40th anniversary
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Announcement of Eastland Center opening day
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Fredericks, his wife Rosalind and two children, Suzanne and Roz pose with The Lion and Mouse sculpture.
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360Degree Mall Sculpture Models
These 360 degree videos are from objects in the exhibition.
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The Lion and Mouse, plaster,
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