Perhaps when someone is paid several hundred thousand dollars to do a sculpture it should be designed to last more than 6 months! And now donations are being requested to help restore it. That's rich, real rich...
In case you care about arch the robot from Glenn Kaino Boring Pittsburgh has an article on it here. (check the comments too) The Post Gazette has a cheerleading piece on it here.
Here's what I had to say about it in 2008.
When I first read the news about the grant a few weeks ago my immediate thoughts were (1) what other artists and projects were considered and (2) why would an out of town artist be better suited.
(and) Temporary public art with that amount of money involved?
Here's what Kurt Shaw had to say:
Two weeks ago, when Tom Sokolowski, director of the Andy Warhol Museum, announced he will direct a portion of a $1 million grant from the Heinz Endowments toward the creation of a 20-foot-high steel-and-fiberglass sculpture designed by Los Angeles artist Glenn Kaino that will be set up for a temporary six-month display starting in late August at the corner of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Seventh Street in the Cultural District, this reviewer was left aghast.
Not only because Kaino's robotic looking, Transformer-like-creature titled "Transformer," (but personally named "Arch" by the artist) is a lame and all too redundant attempt to connect to our city in the way that many non-Pittsburgh, so-called "important" artists have done so many times before -- that is to reference the city's many bridges -- but also because, once again, good money and good intentions will be directed out of town to someone considered more important than the city's own artists.
...
The Pittsburgh Art BlogThe Pittsburgh Art Blog features selected pittsburgh artists and upcoming exhibits with photos from the artists and galleries. since the major press outlets do not go beyond a directory listing of exhibits, blogs are needed to promote pittsburgh artists and their work. the blog also calls attention to the inferiority complex of pittsburgh art and how it's perpetuated by the major players in town. Started on August 20,2007. pittsburgh area galleries and art venues are listed at the sister site www.PghGalleries.com.
the blog and website are volunteer projects from fine art photographer and pittsburgh artist advocate rick byerly.
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