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All the United States Texas San Antonio The Berlin Bear

The Berlin Bear

The quirky gift from West Berlin for the 1968 World's Fair still stands in Hemisfair Park.

San Antonio, Texas

Added By
William Davis
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Berlin Bear.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
Berlin Bear.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
A full view of the bear.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
A gift from Berlin.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
Standing bear.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
The bear from behind.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
The bear from Berlin.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
The bear up close.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Berlin Bear is one of an assortment of statues that look randomly out of place in Hemisfair Park. Its stern face and outstretched arms make it look as though it's confused about whether it wants to punch you or hug you. 

Made by artist Guss W. Fussel, this bronze sculpture of a bear—the heraldic symbol of the city of Berlin—was a gift from West Berlin to San Antonio for the 1968 World's Fair, HemisFair '68. It was originally exhibited along with over 100 other pieces of art from 30 nations.

The bear briefly went into "hibernation" at an offsite location while roadwork and renovations were occurring near its home turf. Today, the Berlin Bear is located in front of the historic Halff House in the park. This statue is listed in the Smithsonian Art Inventory of sculptures along with more than 400,000 other works of public art.

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Bears Statues Art World's Fair Sculptures Parks

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Added By

satxwdavis

Edited By

gehaha, ahaver

  • gehaha
  • ahaver

Published

October 31, 2017

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  • https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=15094S9B764M6.7383&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!321637~!0&ri=1&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=berlin+bear&index=.GW&uindex=&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ri=1
  • http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Architect-firm-finds-ancient-cistern-under-Halff-6056928.php
The Berlin Bear
Hemisfair
San Antonio, Texas, 78205
United States
29.420278, -98.487083
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