Yesterday, I found myself deliberately not making a left turn on Vermont from New Jersey Street.
My reason: I just didn’t want to see the Julian Opie “Ann Dancing” electronic sculpture.
Now, I’m a big fan of public art. I believe it can help define a city, a neighborhood, a street. And I think public art should be a key ingredient to both Mass Ave. and The Indianapolis Cultural Trail (Ann is parked on an intersection of both). And I’ve got nothing against this piece, if it were in a different location.
What I’m not a fan of is art that keeps demanding attention. For me, “Ann” is like that annoying “Tonight on Fox” information that pops up at the bottom of your TV screen when you’re trying to watch a show. I feel intruded on every time I see her.
I didn’t have the same reaction to her Opie-created friends who drew attention downtown last year in part because I knew they were temporary visitors. “Ann,” on the other hand, isn’t going anywhere. She’s like that crazy, fun person who enlivens your party…and then sticks around long after the party’s over. Two days later, she’s still drinking in your living room.
And so you avoid the living room.
It comes down, I think, to location. I appreciate the TV-set sculpture on the top floor of the IMA, but it would drive me nuts if it were in a city park I frequented. A moving neon sculpture on a busy intersection is a distraction, not an enrichment.
I’ll make the left on Michigan.
Your thoughts?
My reason: I just didn’t want to see the Julian Opie “Ann Dancing” electronic sculpture.
Now, I’m a big fan of public art. I believe it can help define a city, a neighborhood, a street. And I think public art should be a key ingredient to both Mass Ave. and The Indianapolis Cultural Trail (Ann is parked on an intersection of both). And I’ve got nothing against this piece, if it were in a different location.
What I’m not a fan of is art that keeps demanding attention. For me, “Ann” is like that annoying “Tonight on Fox” information that pops up at the bottom of your TV screen when you’re trying to watch a show. I feel intruded on every time I see her.
I didn’t have the same reaction to her Opie-created friends who drew attention downtown last year in part because I knew they were temporary visitors. “Ann,” on the other hand, isn’t going anywhere. She’s like that crazy, fun person who enlivens your party…and then sticks around long after the party’s over. Two days later, she’s still drinking in your living room.
And so you avoid the living room.
It comes down, I think, to location. I appreciate the TV-set sculpture on the top floor of the IMA, but it would drive me nuts if it were in a city park I frequented. A moving neon sculpture on a busy intersection is a distraction, not an enrichment.
I’ll make the left on Michigan.
Your thoughts?
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My wife and I had a good discussion on public art. She's not a fan because she is a fine artist. Public Art just reached for a lower common denominator, well she can speak for herself.
I lived and worked in Chicago during the Cows on Parade summer of 99. It would not have been possible to re-route your path to avoid the truly hideous works of art that were everywhere. And I worked in tourism so they were a major part of my world.
I just have lower standards for public art after that. If it gets someone out of their own head for just a moment to realize they are in a world worth paying attention to, then it meets my criteria. If you would rather be in your own head, make the turn.
I will miss no opportunity to drive by the gigantic dinosaurs on Illinois. I miss the Optical sculpture on Broad Ripple Ave. The stainless steel bean is Millenium Park is an artistic triumph to rival the Picasso.
Who knows, in time we may feel the same way about our newest party guest.
Other than that, I think it fits in well with Mass Ave. So, it was a good purchase.
I also think it's funny that she's the only person moving at times, in a car-dominated landscape. I loved the LED pieces in Julian Opie's show here last year. In the context of Indy they were saying, C'mon people! Try walking! This is how you do it!
PS: If you consider a moving LED a distraction while driving, it means you're getting old. ;-)