Ugo Rondinone, “the sun”, 2018

Ugo Rondinone’s “the sun”, is a striking new landmark for Portland. Rising over 18 feet in the Portland Art Museum’s west courtyard, this luminous ring of tree branches in gilded bronze transforms natural shapes into a glowing sculpture that shines brilliantly after dark. Inspired by the rhythms of nature and the passage of time, “the sun” becomes a beacon at night, illuminating the glass facade of the new Mark Rothko Pavilion. Although the Museum is closed during the evening festival hours, we invite you to bask in “the sun” from the courtyard and walkways, and to return during regular hours to explore the transformed Museum.