Artwork in front/drop box in back

March 26, 2008
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Yesterday I had my first encounter with the new Central Library’s conveyor-belted drive-up drop-off box. And in its own small way, it made me like the library even more — especially when I received a courtesy call saying that we had forgotten to include all of the DVDs in the “Arrested Development” boxed set. (Darn kids.)

The drop box. The courtesy call. The e-mailed three-day reminders. The efficient online holds. The comfy chairs. The subtle face-front displays of interesting titles in each department. Ignoring, for a moment, the issue of cost, staffing, etc., there’s a lot to like in our library.



As for the Peter Shelton art that’s being installed on the pedestals out front, I’ll hold off on judgment until I see it … except to say that while I admire the artist’s work — and see merit in these pieces — I have to be convinced that they make sense in this location of  this building. We’ll see when they are installed later this year.

In the meantime, of course, feel free to offer your comments here — on the artwork or other aspects of the Central Library.

Your thoughts?
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  • ChelseaMarch 26, 2008 11:08 AM
    If you want a preview of Shelton's work one of his sculptures, titled irondress, is at the Indianapolis Art Center's main entrance. On loan from the L.A. Louver Gallery in Venice, CA.

    Do you like it?

    Chelsea
    Indianapolis Art Center
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  • ChristopherMarch 26, 2008 3:43 PM
    That drop box rocks!
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  • Jen FuMarch 26, 2008 5:19 PM
    I like the pieces, but also agree they don't look like a good match with the building, at least in the artist rendering.

    But at least they're not Tom Otterness sculptures.
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  • The UrbanophileMarch 26, 2008 7:50 PM
    I already posted my on them:

    http://theurbanophile.blogspot.com/2008/03/review-indianapolis-library-expansion_16.html
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  • BrianMarch 26, 2008 11:31 PM
    I suppose the sculptures are no more out of place on the front of the building than the gigantic chrome can is on the back of the building. Now, I've finally been inside the new wing, and it is breathtakingly gorgeous on the inside. It's just unspeakably, hideously incongruous on the outside. So, really, the external image of the library has little to lose at this point. All is forgiven once you walk in the door.
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  • AblerockMarch 27, 2008 12:36 PM
    As far as I can tell from one rendering, I like them.

    And I like the incongruity of the exterior. It's quickly become one of the most stimulating areas in Indianapolis.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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  1. First, the Athenaeum is going to have to get past the hurdle with the Lockerbie residents and the agreement that the parcel would be residential. Second, and in my opinion, this prime piece of property should include parking, PLUS, a black box theater(s), some market rate and affordable artist housing and a plan to renovate and reconfigure the second story theater. I would negotiate to add the DeHaan property surface parking lot into the development mix, place a one story surface parking garage on the DeHaan lot on the street level (for the Dehaan tenants use during the daytime) and add a second story to the garage that would become an addition to the current second story theater and then change the direction of the theater by moving the stage across the alley and on top of the DeHaan lot parking. You can add all the stage elements that are currently missing from the Athenaeum stage to make it more attractive for use by Ballet, Opera and traveling productions. Plus, the theater changes would probably help solve some of the soundproofing issues. Alas,it does not seem to be a part of the strategic plan to conduct a study to determine best use of the property. Seems like the current plan is a quick and easy move that ignores the property best use/potential and any strategic property planning for the effect on future generations.

  2. I recall that MSA's pilings are still in the ground and hard to remove. It’s not likely any proposal will include significant underground construction/parking because of this. Start adding 2 floors of retail, 8 floors of parking and 5-10 floors of possible hotel, and/or 10-20 floors of residential, and you are at 30 floors already with possible expansion of all the uses. But then again I could be wrong.

  3. Accoriding to their website there is no deadline to the Do Not Call list. What is this article referring to??

  4. On what planet are they entitled to this largesse from the stockholders? These people make multi-million dollar salaries: Pay for your own personal travel.

  5. It matters because they're already paid enormously fat salaries: Pay for your own personal travel. Being "taxed on it" isn't a valid excuse--so what? They're still being gifted a raft of luxury perks from somebody else's money on top of an enormous, lavish salary.

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