Trammell Crow Center, Dallas

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We viewed the Trammel Crow Sculpture Garden when our son was visiting. The Crow Collection of Asian Art is located to the rear of Trammel Crow's garden area.

An immense Buddha overlooking a sparkling fountain seemed to reign over the museum's entrance.

Inside, the Spinnaker Collection of Chinese Snuff Boxes was on display. These tiny creations were just gorgeous!

Other pieces were ethereal watercolors; carved jade; bright, examples of textile art and massive architectural pieces. Please see my additional pictures for these (pictures 2-5).

Picture 2 is a facade of a residence constructed of red sandstone in Rajasthan-style from the Mughal Period (1526-1756).

The museum, a project of the Crow family, is located in the Arts District of Dallas- a 17 block area in the northeast area of the city. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am-5pm, Thursday evening until 9. Closed on Mondays, January 1, July 4, Thanksgiving and December 25.

If you visit on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. or on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. you can receive a free guided tour of the center. A sculpture garden tour is also available on Sundays at 1:00 pm.

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Surrounding The Trammell Crow Center is a serene sculpture garden; a respite from the city's busy streets. We brought our son here to visit this peaceful oasis in the center of Dallas.

As we wandered the pathway which encircled this huge office building, we imagined how pleasant it must be for those who work here. It didn't feel as though we were in the city at all! The sculptures sit amidst bubbling fountains and shady niches of this lovely garden.

The garden is accented with larger-than-life creations by famed French sculptors, Auguste Rodin and Antoine Bourdelle. There is no charge to view the sculptures. I would recommend this site to any visitor to the city of Dallas.

FYI: The Trammel Crow building is the sixth tallest building in Dallas, soaring 50 floors and comprised of polished granite.

The Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art covers 12,000 sq ft using a lot of natural light and displays some excellent pieces. The exhibits are from Japan, China, Indian and Southeast Asia. Special displays are held throughout the year and many permanent pieces are rotated regularly. We were told they have a huge warehouse where their vast collection is stored.

The gentleman that greeting us on arrival said he has worked there over 4 years and never seen the same piece twice, so no matter when you go, you are sure to see something different.

Open Tues. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Extended hours on Thursdays till 9 p.m.

No problem taking photos.

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Vishnu - Surrounded by his 10 Incantations. This sandstone piece originally comes from Central India, around the 12th Century. “Vishnu, as the preserver and protector of the social order of the universe, assumed several incarnations (avatars) at various times when the orderliness of the world was threatened. Out of these, a set of 10 incarnations found popular acceptance and artistic portrayal in the Indian region from around the 12th century.”

You can either take the outside stairs to the outside gardens by the entrance or enter from the 2nd floor exit. One of the sculptures outside in the plaza of the Trammel Crow Centre is this one of Antoine Bourdelle, Hercules the Archer, 1909.

The kiosk is a small building on a square base. There are four pillars topped by a dome-shaped roof. The word Chattri is the architectural name given to such a building. They were originally present in the palace architecture of Hindu Rajput kings and then adopted into the Mughal environment for its artistic beauty and appeal. The Mughal emperor Akbar used them a lot in his city of Fatehpur Sikhri in North India. This kiosk is made of white marble and has a set of floral motifs which resemble open lotus flowers.
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This shrine is similar to the Chattri or Kiosk in appearance but is intricately decorated in ornate colourful floral designs which are actually inlaid stones. The idol would sit in the centre facing through the decorated side only. The shrine would have belonged to either a modern temple or private home from either northern or western parts of India.
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One of the most amazing displays is a rarely seen 28-foot by 12-foot sandstone facade of an 18th century Indian residence. The central arch is an importation of Islam and is set inside the portal with smaller arches either side. The doors are made of durable and long lasting ironwood. The five other doorways probably served as openings for light and fresh air. The piece would have involved hundreds of skilled stone craftsmen all making individual components of the overall façade. The building from where this façade came served as part of a haweli or non-imperial building compound for housing. It would have had one or more open courtyards.

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It may just be because they are in the act of remodelling but I was dissapointed at how small this collection was. However you can't argue with the price, free.

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There are many pieces of religious art which represent religions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism and Jainism