Broad Ripple sculpture receives green light from zoning board

This rendering shows an illuminated sculpture in the “Gavin” series by Indiana artist Jason Myers. A similar sculpture titled “Gavin-Divergence” is planned for installation in Broad Ripple this fall. (Image provided by Jason Myers)

A 30-foot-tall sculpture in Broad Ripple is expected to debut in October, planners said Tuesday, after the Indianapolis Board of Zoning Appeals approved the artwork’s placement at the northwest corner of Westfield Boulevard and College Avenue.

The sculpture, titled “Gavin-Divergence” and created by Logansport-based artist Jason Myers, became a controversial topic this year as people offered opinions on the “abstract representation of man,” in the artist’s words, made of steel I-beams.

Some online comments criticized “Gavin-Divergence” for appearing unfriendly, and others deemed it a potential distraction for motorists.

Tuesday’s Board of Zoning Appeals hearing at the City-County Building focused on what the sculpture could mean for motorist sight lines.

Supporters and opponents vigorously debated whether “Gavin-Divergence” belongs on a spot presently occupied by a triangular stainless steel sign used to advertise events in the Broad Ripple cultural district.

“Is it art or is it a distraction,” asked Indianapolis resident Brett Rathmell during a public comment segment of the hearing. “To me, it’s a distraction by putting something like this at an intersection and causing you to look up at it. If it distracts you for even a second or two, that’s enough time for a driver not to see a pedestrian crossing.”

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The Department of Metropolitan Development recommended the approval of a zoning variance requested by the city of Indianapolis, Department of Public Utilities, Board of Directors for Utilities Trustee and Public Charitable Trust for Water System. The land where the sculpture will be installed is partly owned by the city and partly owned by Citizens Energy Group.

The five members of the zoning board, Division I—Peter Nelson, chair, Andrew Katona, David Duncan, Jennifer Whitt and Patrice Duckett-Brown—voted unanimously to approve the zoning variance that allows 100 feet of a clear sight triangle measured from the center of the intersection rather than 120 feet designated by city law.

The 15-foot-tall sign that advertises Broad Ripple events was installed in 2000, preceding the rule of 120 feet. Broad Ripple resident Mark Demerly, who spoke on behalf of the Birge Family Foundation, which is paying for “Gavin-Divergence,” noted that a public parking garage that opened in 2013 at the southwest corner of Westfield Boulevard and College Avenue does not adhere to the rule of 120 feet.

“We’re hoping to be under construction [with ‘Gavin-Divergence’] this month,” Taggart Birge, founder of the Birge Family Foundation, told IBJ after the hearing.

Birge wants to install three to five pieces of public art by multiple artists in the neighborhood—all to be funded by private donations.

“There’s a whole generation of kids who have never seen our original arts and culture district get any new art,” Birge said. “It’s been over 20 years. You’ve watched Carmel put millions into it. Downtown has public art. But we’ve neglected our real jewel, which is Broad Ripple Village. It needs more investment.”

“Gavin-Divergence” artist Myers said he considers “Confluence,” a sculpture of 100 tons of Indiana limestone created by artists Robert Stackhouse and Carol Mickett, to be the most recent addition of major public art in Broad Ripple. The sculpture was installed on the grounds of Indy Art Center, 820 E. 67th St., in 2004.

Indy Art Center plans to assume ownership of “Gavin-Divergence” and maintain it.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Demerly asked attendees supporting the sculpture to stand. About 30 attendees indicated support. Nelson, the board’s chair, subsequently asked attendees opposing the sculpture to stand. About 15 attendees indicated opposition.

Michael Weigel, senior planner for the Department of Metropolitan Development, said his office received 36 letters of opposition to the sculpture and 14 letters of support.

Clarke Kahlo, who voiced opposition to the sculpture during the hearing, told IBJ that he believed the public deserved more of a voice in the “Gavin-Divergence” process.

The sculpture initially was discussed during a Feb. 3 meeting at Indy Arts Center devoted to the topic of public art. The meeting was announced via the Broad Ripple Village Association’s email list of 6,000 subscribers. Jordan Dillon, executive director of the BRVA, told IBJ that a reminder was sent to the association’s members, a group of about 500 people. An estimated audience of 50 people attended the meeting.

“We need early consultation and broad consultation,” Kahlo said after the hearing. “Early in the process, not after everybody has come together with a ‘Kumbaya’ group hug and decided it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.”