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Glass Giants: New Public Art Approved For Downtown [Nashvillest Polls]

2 September 2009 | 11:00 am
Author: Christy Frink

statues

This morning, we mentioned the approval of a new public art design destined for the Public Square downtown. Designed by North Carolina artist Thomas Sayre, this project was a redesign from the original plan that included “mock cranes and a fog machine” and the official rendering is shown in the image above. From WPLN:

Sayre’s new plan features two columns some thirty feet high. The bottom part of each column will be steel, with a rotatable top of radial glass sheets forming the outline of a larger-than-life person, with one hand pointing.

After dropping the link on Twitter, we noticed some pretty strong opinions on the project: Why couldn’t we keep it local? Why does it look like something out of the Neverending Story? What exactly are they pointing at? At least it doesn’t look like a roller coaster. So you tell us:

How do you feel about the new public art display?

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Comments

Posted in Culture & Arts, Featured, News | Tagged , , ,
  • It's impossible to say without seeing it, but I agree with the above criticisms. I don't have any idea why we consistently seem to choose these grandiose public art projects that are done by non-local artists with no connection to Nashville at all (either themselves, or the art they make).
  • In addition to wondering why they can't find local artists, I'm curious just how much we're paying for these.
  • jimvoorhies
    There are local artists who would love to do simething for their city and they should have been used. However, a memorial art peice signifying how good we give directions will surely be a blessing for the city. (Sheesh.) Or maybe it's that we're transparent? Or a pane?
  • ryancarter
    what the hell are these things supposed to be? it looks like and eye sore and a waste of tax payer money. Do we really need this? With everyone making cut backs I find it irresponsible to spend money on things like this. I could understand if it was a local artist designing this project but it's not. Our local government has it's priorities a little bass ackwards.
  • katdavis
    Is this the best way to spend local dollars? I mean, if they're so desperate to use money, send a check to me!
  • IT'S THE WATCHMEN! And they're pointing the way to the Courthouse! WELCOME TO JUSTICELAND! Now we just need to figure out how to add voice boxes à la Marty Moose.
  • Non-local artist. Ominous pointing (didn't your mother ever tell you pointing was rude?) Nashville is brimming with talent I just don't understand why we had to go 'searching' for an outsider to do this. The money is already there:
    http://tinyurl.com/mp9rrd
    but couldn't we find a better use for it?
  • I agree. Save the money and spend it locally on something worthwhile. Who picked out these things??? I know I wasn't asked about it.
  • lorendasue
    I see a new movie coming: Godzilla vs. The One-Armed Column Men. Nashville destroyed on the big screen... in 3-D! Godzilla rises from the Cumberland River...
  • Considering our track record with all the other, ahem, lovely landmark statuary around Nash, I can't imagine this being any better. And since they keep barking about the budget crisis and the number of people that have been laid off as a result, I hardly think it wise to plunk down thousands of dollars for a couple of massive glass/steel door greeters pointing out the comings and goings in front of the courthouse.
  • michaelbeziat
    Is Nashville hosting Burning Man 2? It looks a bit ridiculous.

    The dragon at Fannie Mae Dees park is still my favorite public art. Members of the community (including members of my family) all came together to contribute to its many mosaics. I'm with, well, everyone. Something from within the community would have been much more pleasing, at least to the heart if not necessarily to the eye.
  • The dragon is one of the best pieces of public art ever dreamed up. It's so wonderful!
  • JonEric
    Fail.
  • M
    Is it just me? I immediately had thoughts of the Third Reich and Hitler when I saw these men with their arms out...
  • Maybe this thing is directing people out of Nashville..especially during heavy tourist time..sorry..Seriously, I agree this town is full of great artist that should have been utilized for something like this. Do we need a big a#$% statue downtown?
  • Jason
    Hmmm.. I definitely liked the previous choice better (but im not totally opposed to this one).. the fog and lighting effects sounded really cool!

    Now.. we have huge one armed statues.. and these will be combined with the other finalist's sculpture of scared little children and a guy with too many telescopes???

    Ha! One sculpture is (much) larger than life size.. the other has all humans at 1/3 of their actual size... say what???

    http://www.artsnashville.org/pubartprojects/pub...
  • jimbellizzi
    I agree that it would be great to have local artists doing these projects, otherwise who cares? I assume tax payer money will go to waste, and don't have much interest in public statue stuff. It won't negatively affect tourism, so...let them do whatever.
  • Who gets to determine where they point? The wind? A lucky winner for the day?
  • jimvoorhies
    I figured it out! They're giant "Pull My Finger" sculptures!
  • *Snicker*
  • nataliestone
    The design just looks unfinished. Like we're just looking at the structure that will hold up the eventual facade. But this is it. The whole thing...
  • Other: Las Palmas
  • You would.
  • trigger183
    If the artist intended a football reference then the pointing things (arms?) should always point to the nearest senators, congressmans, or legislatiors offices because lately they all seem to be "offsides" or encroaching on our life, liberty, and pursuit of freedom...freedom to have a home, a good job, healthcare, etc.
  • Michele1
    Two one-armed men asking for donations? Nashville is broke, right? I mean, that's all we hear/read anymore.
    And what happens when the sun hits that glass at the top and someone gets the retina's burned out? Who do they sue, the artist or the city? Come on folks, tell me you didn't think of that too...
    Ugly piece of NON-LOCAL (ugly) art...
  • BT
    This is fugly. We have this beautiful new park, renovated Art Deco courthouse, all the water features. They all coexist wonderfully. These one-armed 'thangs' are embarrassing. Why have arms on them at all? Why do they have to have a pseudo-human form? What a waste. The arts-incentive program should produces THE BEST art in the city, and this is what we get? How unimaginative. Fail.
  • kristen
    i haven't read the comments, so forgive me if someone has already said this.

    i am all for nashville spending money for public art but my question is this: why can't we spend that money to help fisk create a place to house and display their o'keefe collection? then we could let everyone with a middle tn address enter at a discounted rate---that would be some public art that i could get behind
  • Name
    Nashville's taste for 'cute' public art continues unabated. Not a bad way to keep the city's provincialism intact.
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