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1987 will mark the 60th anniversary of Isadora’s death. She was a
prodigal daughter of San Francisco, one who fought for freedom of the human
spirit. Like the Phoenix on the city flag, this monument could easily become
another symbol of San Francisco’s way of life.
Some say that this Hellenistic heroine
is inappropriate, in light of recent artistic trends. Still she fought the
sacrosanct conventions of her day – and because of her, we enjoy the
movements of modern dance today.
There is an octagonal space between the
Opera House and the War Memorial Museum directly across from City Hall,
where she should stand.
The figure is 10’ 7” tall atop a tapered
pedestal: The entire piece will be 28’ 8” tall. The sculpture will
weigh 3,000 pounds, and will have light-censors to enable her to follow the
path of the sun.
Isadora would directly complement the
Beaux Arts architecture of the civic center. However, the then Mayor, now
US Senator Diane Feinstein blocked the project by appointing a committee
to rule on Isadora’s suitability. The committee would meet two years after Diane left office.
The site has been vacant since this city
was re-built in 1907 – perhaps one day Isadora Duncan may yet take her
rightful place at San Francisco’s civic heart.
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