The first sight greeting fans at the main entrance of Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be a "giant falcon monument," which serves as the "beginning of a highly curated collection of art designed to elevate the new stadium from a high-tech sports center to a space that also embraces the cultural and artistic heart of the city," according to Nedra Rhone of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. AMB Sports & Entertainment enlisted the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), which "commissioned more than 50 artists, including 26 from Atlanta and surrounding cities, to create more than 180 pieces." The art experience "begins outside the stadium and continues throughout the interior from the main concourse to the private suites and club rooms." It "includes the photographs, paintings, sculptures and mixed-media works of highly regarded artists featured as prominently on the upper levels of the stadium as on the main level." Savannah-based artist Melody Postma "turned to history to create 'Love of the Game,' an homage to the 50-year history" of the Falcons. Other artwork "references" soccer. A 35-foot mirror-faceted soccer ball sculpture by Studio Roso will be installed next year at the north entrance as a "symbol for Atlanta United" (AJC.com, 8/21). In Atlanta, Jill Vejnoska notes the falcon monument is a "massive stainless steel artwork created by Hungarian artist Gabor Miklos Szoke" that rises 41 1/2 feet tall and weighs 73,000 pounds. The falcon "appears to be rising in triumphant touchdown-scoring or interception-snatching flight with a bronze football clutched in its talons" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/23).
SHOPPING SPREE: The ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION's Rhone reports there are 15 retail locations throughout M-B Stadium, "including the main store -- an 8,000-square-foot, two-story team store near the main entrance at gates two and three." Retail sales for "all events at the stadium are operated by Fanatics," which has "recently been expanding into brick-and-mortar operations nationwide." In addition to the main retail store, there are "several smaller team retail shops in the stadium" (AJC.com, 8/22).
