Paolo Soleri (1919–2013)

Goldwater Bell

The Soleri Bridge links the south side of the Arizona canal to the Soleri Plaza on the north. A series of totemic Soleri-designed earth cast panels ring the southern perimeter of this public plaza. The strong architectural carving on the panels creates a perfect counterpoint for the Goldwater Bell assembly, which Soleri himself cast in 1969, is also located on the south plaza within the smaller set of bridge pylons. Within the regional Sun Circle Trail, the Soleri Bridge and Plaza provides access for pedestrians, equestrians and bicycles.

The Goldwater Bell assembly reflects the artist’s life work in architecture and ecology. Produced at Cosanti entirely by Paolo Soleri, the bell was part of his first U.S. retrospective at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC. The bell once hung in the Goldwater Store in Scottsdale, leading to its name. Scottsdale’s downtown is proud to boast the only bridge in the world designed by Paolo Soleri, one of the Valley’s most important artists.