Council Bluffs Public Arts Plan

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Council Bluffs Public Arts Plan

Post by eomaha »

Omaha World Herald wrote: COUNCIL BLUFFS - The City of Council Bluffs now will have a plan to guide any future acquisitions and installations of public art.

Council Bluffs wants more public art like this sculpture display outside the downtown public library building.

The City Council voted 4-1 Monday to adopt a master plan for public art, the first such document for a community in the metropolitan area.

The plan is intended to guide the future selection and installation of everything from major artworks to street beautification.

A stakeholders group that included area residents provided public input into the plan, which includes an inventory of existing public art and a ranking of locations for future pieces. It was prepared by Public Art & Practice LLC, a consulting firm, and EDAW, a landscape architecture firm.

"I think of this as a guideline or a roadmap," said Rich Sorich, a project manager for the Iowa West Foundation, which commissioned the plan.

Bayliss Park was identified as the top location for future art installations. Iowa West has pledged $700,000 for public art there. Other top sites were the Mid-America Center, the Missouri Riverfront, downtown and the 100 block of West Broadway, a historic business district.

Several councilmen, however, questioned whether the plan would come with financial or other obligations for the city.

The plan suggests a future public art ordinance stipulating that a percentage of capital improvement budgets be dedicated for public art and the designation of funds for maintenance.

But John Firman of Public Art & Practice said neither an ordinance nor a maintenance fund are required by the plan. Establishing either would require further council action.

Don Gross, the city's community development director, said the plan would raise awareness about the opportunities to include art in a public project.

But Councilman David Tobias, who voted against the plan, said the community can decide for itself what art it wants and where it wants it, rather than having consultants do it.

Both the City Parks and City Planning Commissions already had endorsed the plan.

In other action, the council agreed to amend a development plan to allow Sam's Club to attach a nearly 25,000-square-foot addition to its existing building in the Lake Manawa Power Centre.

Preliminary floor plans for the addition on the south side of the building show a new photo lab, vision center and automotive parts and service area.

The addition would bring the 114,344-square-foot building to a total area of 138,613 square feet. Construction is expected to begin this summer and wrap up a year from now.
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Post by MTO »

YOU GO C.B. get down with your bad self. I like C.B. more and more every day with the Water Park, pit-bull ban, Basspro and now public art.
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Post by Ingersoll1978 »

Council Bluffs is changing its image... :)
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Post by DTO Luv »

From Council Bluffs to Councilssippi. :wink: I'm kidding. CB is reallt turnign around. I wonder when it will start to translate into population growth.
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Post by icejammer »

The Public Art plan moves one step closer to reality...

Bluffs public art proposal gets approval
Action taken Monday evening by the Council Bluffs City Council should turn out to be "an exciting page in the history of Council Bluffs."

That how Councilman Matt Walsh described the council's unanimous vote on an agreement with the Iowa West Foundation on the creation, installation and maintenance of public art in the city.
"What we're looking at now is the Mid-America Center and the Haymarket area," Sorich said. "It's a wonderful gift to the city to increase tourism, improve the quality of life and increase educational opportunities. At this stage, we're still in negotiations."

One artist in negotiation is Jonathan Borofsky.

"He's internationally known," Sorich said.

The foundation has expressed interest in Borofsky's "Molecule Man," which Sorich described as three 50-foot-tall human-like figures put together in a circle. This piece of art would be installed in the plaza area of the MAC and it would be so tall, drivers on Interstate 29/80 would see it, Sorich said.
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Post by Big E »

DTO Luv wrote:CB is reallt turnign around. I wonder when it will start to translate into population growth.
About the time Omaha annexes North Platte. ;)

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Post by eomaha »

The foundation has expressed interest in Borofsky's "Molecule Man," which Sorich described as three 50-foot-tall human-like figures put together in a circle. This piece of art would be installed in the plaza area of the MAC and it would be so tall, drivers on Interstate 29/80 would see it, Sorich said.
A Borofsky 'Molecule Man' for Council Bluffs!

[img]http://www.borofsky.com/public/molecule ... ny]a08.jpg[/img]
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Post by almighty_tuna »

Particle Man, Particle Man, doing the things that a particle can...
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Post by MTO »

Now that is the first peace of public art I have ever gotten excited about. That means a lot since I have very good taste. :lol:
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Post by icejammer »

Here's the Molecule Man in LA:

Image

He has some other pretty interesting pieces:

http://www.borofsky.com/public.htm

Needless to say, just about anything by Borofsky would be a major addition to the arts in the metro.
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Post by icejammer »

Iowa West: Public art will foster a 'prosperous' urban environment for Bluffs
Why should a city invest in public art?

"Cities that are prospering value arts and culture," said Todd Graham, executive director of the Iowa West Foundation. "If you create a stimulating environment, it's easier to retain young people who grew up there. It's creating an attractive 'people climate.' If you have that, the result is a better economic climate later on."
Image
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Post by icejammer »

There will be an "unveiling" of public art around the MAC tomorrow - 3 large concrete pads have been poured in advance of the art work to be installed.  Iowa West Foundation will be a major contributor in these pieces to be announced tomorrow.
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Post by Stargazer »

So should we be expecting to see the Molecule Men ?
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Post by icejammer »

Sadly, no, not yet.  Two of the pieces to be "unveiled" were already installed, I think the third should be in place already too, but I'm not sure, haven't driven by in a week or two.
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Post by icejammer »

Iowa West Foundation unveils public art program
The Iowa West Foundation, headquartered in Council Bluffs, announced today the commitment of $9 million to implement the first phase of a community-based public art program called Iowa West Public Art.

Six new public art sites in Council Bluffs at the Mid-America Center and in downtown continue the foundation's public art commitment, which began with Bayliss Park art earlier this year. Public art by William King and Deborah Masuoka, two nationally recognized artists, was unveiled today at four of these sites.

William King is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and is a past president of the American Academy of Design. He began producing his large-scale outdoor aluminum sculptures in the 1960's. Next month in New York City, King will be receiving a prestigious award from the International Sculpture Center for lifetime achievement in contemporary sculpture.

King was selected by the foundation's public art selection panel for three installations at the Mid-America Center.

The first work by King is titled "Interstate" and is located right off of the interstate at the South 24th Street entrance to the MAC arena and convention facility.

The second work is titled "Circus" and is located near the west entrance to the arena. The third work by King is titled "Sunrise" and is located near the entrance to the MAC's convention center. This monumental work is about 26 feet tall and is executed in aluminum plate.

Deborah Masuoka is an Omaha-based artist who is known for her large scale "Rabbit Head" sculptures. Although Masuoka's sculptures are often executed in ceramic, she has created three 8' tall bronze rabbit heads for Council Bluffs.

The rabbit heads are being installed in the Historic Haymarket District at the junction of South Main and Pearl Streets in downtown Council Bluffs.

"An initial public art master plan viewed the entire city of Council Bluffs as a sculpture park," explained Todd Graham, executive director and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, and "we are optimistic about the potential impact of the public art on tourism, arts-related businesses and economic development."

He also said that "the improved quality of life will bring more than visitors - we hope it will attract new residents and new businesses to our community." . . .
Image
Deborah Masouka’s rabbits are found in the Haymarket area
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Post by Stargazer »

I like them!
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Post by icejammer »

The rabbits, I like, they are pretty cool.  The 3 pieces around the MAC, I'm kind of lukewarm on, but I might warm up to. (and here are pics from the Nonpareil of those 3 pieces)

Image
'Sunrise', near the convention center entrance, my least favorite of the three

Image
'Interstate', just off 24th Street, I kinda like this one

Image
'Circus', on the west side of the MAC arena

And a little more detail on one of the 3 rabbits:
Image
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Post by Big E »

Where's the art?  Behind the rabbit?

It IS the rabbit!

Image

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Post by icejammer »

I can see that it's been far too long since I've had a Monty Python marathon...
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Post by icejammer »

Missed this story from the OWH:

Council Bluffs unveils public art
Sculptor William King has had his share of honors over his 80-plus years: member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, president of the National Academy of Design and soon-to-be recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the International Sculpture Center.

Even King admitted goose bumps, though, when the topic turned to how many people potentially could see three of his sculptures, placed at entrances to the Mid-America Center, just off the junction of Interstates 29 and 80.

The works were unveiled Wednesday as part of Iowa West Public Art's $9 million first phase. Organizers hope the project will be a major step toward making Council Bluffs known from coast to coast for public art.

Of the $9 million, $2.14 million went for the completed Bayliss Park fountain-and-pavilion project, leaving $6.86 million for the artwork unveiled Wednesday and yet to come next summer. . .

Yet to come in the summer are works by two more internationally known artists, Jonathan Borofsky of Maine and Jun Kaneko of Omaha.

One of Borofsky's famed "Molecule Man" sculptures and a 400-foot-long sculpture garden by Kaneko featuring three bronze head sculptures and 18 ceramic sculptures will be installed along the entire frontage of the Mid-America Center and be visible from Omaha.

"Within a short walk will be three internationally known artists," Graham said. "It will be one of the best-dressed convention centers in the world." . . .

A Web site was launched featuring examples of the art, artists' bios, the program's master plan, a history of Council Bluffs and interactive educational materials that can be downloaded. . . .
And the website, for those interested:

Iowa West Public Art
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Post by icejammer »

Public art to stretch across city
While many cities showcase their public art in a specific location associated with an art museum or corporation, the art projects planned for Council Bluffs will be unique, a local official said.

"Our plan is to integrate art through the whole community," said Todd Graham, executive director of the Iowa West Foundation. "We're looking at the entire city as a sculpture park."

There are over 50 potential sites in Council Bluffs to install public art, Graham said.

There are many advantages to having a public art program, he said.

"It can attract visitors, expand cultural offerings to a region, create a stimulating environment and improve the quality of life," Graham said.

He's excited about plans to turn a large vacant building south of the Haymarket District into an artist community.

"If that project proceeds, there will be additional development in that vicinity," Graham said. . . .
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

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Post by the1wags »

BWWWWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Classic Big E. :lol: That driving one is kinda cool. I dunno about the other stuff, I'll have to go check em out.
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Post by icejammer »

Footings for the Molecule Man are being prepared adjacent to The Plaza, right in front of Famous Dave's.  Hopefully we'll see installation before snow flies.
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Post by Jason4225 »

I drove by there the other day and was wondering what all the dirt work was for. It will be interesting when these get installed. I don't know what purpose these art projects serve, but I'm sure someone has a good explanation (and I don't mean the ones previously given).

On a side note, it is good to see that they are tearing out the old bridge over the interstate. Progress seems to be going pretty well.
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Post by icejammer »

'Molecule Man' to be unveiled next month
Be on the look out for "Molecule Man," coming soon to an arena near you.

The sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky will be the latest edition to the public art plan for Council Bluffs. The sculpture will be put up near the Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way. Jerry Mathiasen, associate executive director of the Iowa West Foundation, said the Borofsky piece may be installed by mid- to late September. . .
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

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Post by icejammer »

Bluffs plans sculptures for bridge
The Interstate drive through the Bluffs will include an impressive sight if the latest phase of an ambitious public art project is approved.

Four sculptures are proposed for the corners of the new 24th Street bridge over I-80/29. . . .  

The three- to five-story tall sculptures by the renowned New York metals sculptor Albert Paley will be made of bronze, stainless steel and Cor-Ten steel, giving them a rich, rust finish. The sculptures will be placed on 15-foot pedestals on the four corners of the bridge. . . .

Graham said the sculptures will resemble a 73-foot-tall Paley piece called "The Sentinel," which is on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology and is one of the pieces that caught the eye of the Bluffs public art panel. . . .

Another major piece of the public art program is set to arrive in the next few weeks.

One of Jonathan Borofsky's "Molecule Man" sculptures will be installed soon at the Mid-America Center. The nearly 50-foot-tall sculpture will be brought in from Los Angeles on flatbed trucks. It will be placed near a 400-foot-long sculpture garden by Omaha's Jun Kaneko.

Work on the garden has begun and should be completed in October. . . .

"It [public arts master plan] is progressing at a rapid pace, and so far, it has been well-received," Graham said. "It is different from other public art programs in that they are spread throughout the city."

Graham said the next area of focus for the program will be the riverfront area near the pedestrian bridge.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

This looks REALLY impressive.
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...

Post by Erik »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:This looks REALLY impressive.


I love it too.. I'm really glad that CB has become as progressive as it is.. Instead of being a blight spot of the metro, they are now HUGE contributers to the metro..

Rock on CB!
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Post by icejammer »

Molecule Man arrives in C.B.
The confluence of Interstate 29/Interstate 80 joining Council Bluffs to Omaha might be the last place you would expect to find a 50-foot steel sculpture created by an internationally known artist. The $1.8 million aluminum sculpture, instantly recognizable as three giant, interconnected human figures, was created by Jonathan Borofsky, one of the most important American sculptors working today. . . .

A specially-trained installation team started assembling "Molecule Man" on the grounds of the MAC Wednesday. After unloading the figures made out of heavyweight aircraft aluminum from a wide-load truck, it will take several days to complete the installation.

The sheer size of the installation requires sophisticated engineering. The base of the sculpture is 44 feet in diameter. Together, the three figures weigh approximately 33,000 pounds. Once assembled, the gleaming metal sculpture will rise 50 feet from the ground. From idea to completion, Borofsky estimates it will take approximately 12,000 man hours to create "Molecule Man."

The large-scale sculpture has been customized to withstand local weather conditions. The artist specifically chose a metal known for its strength - a 2½-inch thick aluminum plate, an alloy known as aircraft aluminum, which is used to build airplanes. Once assembled, "Molecule Man" has been designed to withstand 100 mile-per-hour straight-line winds. . . .

The installation of "Molecule Man" is part of a $9 million investment in IWPA's first phase of public art. Later this fall, just outside the MAC, comes the installation of an expansive 400-foot-long sculpture garden, including 21 sculptures created by another internationally-known artist, Jun Kaneko.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

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Post by Brad »

Twiztid1 wrote:Here's a web cam.

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/iowawest/junkaneko
Cool... But the exit we use for hockey is blocked and it starts in 15 or so days!
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Post by icejammer »

Bluffs' public art plan focal point of conference
Just a few years after the Public Art Master Plan for Council Bluffs was unveiled, the country is taking note.

In January, an article in the Kansas City, Mo.,-based magazine, Review, said the master plan "is a prime example of how charitable foundations can work together with city officials and artists for economic as well as cultural benefit." In the November 2007 issue of Sculpture magazine, a feature on the artist William King, who has three large public art sculptures in Council Bluffs, mentioned the city's "innovative public art program."

More recently, Public Art Review, the world's leading journal devoted to the field of contemporary public art, included a two-page article on Council Bluffs in its Spring/Summer 2008 issue.

On the heels of such attention, the 2008 IA/NE Public Art Networking Conference will be held in Council Bluffs and Omaha Sept. 24 and 25, and those attending are not only from the Iowa and Nebraska, but also individuals from across the country. Attendees from as far as New York, North Carolina and Minnesota have registered for the conference. . . .

The conference will begin and end each day at the Mid-America Center. Participants will tour public art sites throughout the Council Bluffs/Omaha metro area, including several major IWPA projects funded by the Iowa West Foundation. It's designed not only for those directly involved in public art - the artists, nonprofits, mayors, art patrons - but individuals in the public who are interested in the topic.

Those attending "will get a better sense of what artists are doing to integrate art" into the community, according to Williams. Council Bluffs is a good example of not only placing art in the community, but also integrating it into structures, such as the partnership with the Department of Transportation to include art in interstate bridges.

On Wednesday, attendees will tour downtown Council Bluffs, viewing work by Hatcher and Masuoka, to name a few. Hatcher is the keynote speaker for the conference and will discuss the success of the renovated Bayliss Park, IWPA's first installation. He is a nationally recognized sculptor from Rhode Island whose public artwork, "Wellspring" and "Oculus," is the centerpiece of the park.

On Thursday morning, a walking tour of the IWPA sites at the Mid-America Center will be held. The completed works of King, who was the recipient of the 2007 Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award, will be viewed as well as the works in progress of Kaneko and Borofsky. Borofsky's "Molecule Man" arrived in Council Bluffs Sept. 17 and will be assembled and completed before the end of September. Later this fall, 21 sculptures by Kaneko will be installed within an expansive 400-foot-long sculpture garden near the MAC.

Among the stops in Omaha are First National Sculpture Parks, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Peter Kiewit Institute and the Qwest Center. Linking the two cities will be tour stops at the Council Bluffs entrance gateway and the nearly completed pedestrian bridge. . . .
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

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Post by icejammer »

The Making of Art: Molecule Man makes an entrance
Years ago, artist Jonathan Borofsky became intrigued about the role molecules play in this world. Tiny parts of air and water by themselves that, if brought together, can make one big part. Then, those big parts if brought together will make an even bigger part - humanity connecting to itself.

That's the meaning of "Molecule Man," the latest public art project in Council Bluffs being installed now south of the Mid-America Center. . . .

McPherson and his highly trained staff at LaPaloma Fine Arts Inc. are the fabricators of the project and transported the various sections, or plates, from California to Council Bluffs last Wednesday to begin installation. . . .

More than just the design went into this project. An engineer determined the aluminum's thickness in order to allow the sculpture to withstand Midwestern winds.

"We gave him 100 mph for him to design at a straight line," Boody said.

The recommendation was to build the structure from aluminum that's 2.5 inches thick. This compared to the aluminum on the Los Angeles structure that's only 1.5 inches thick.

To create art out of aluminum that's more than two inches thick is no small task.

"We've been working on this full-time since February," said McPherson's son, Edan. . . .

Since they arrived, the LaPaloma staff has been meticulously putting the 40 or so pieces together. This includes a special way of welding the pieces together that does not introduce stress on the metal. A machine is used to keep the plates being welded flat and can be glided across the plates for maximum reduction of stress.

Workers have already welded the sculpture to the base, which is set below ground.

Possibly today, or perhaps Wednesday, parts of the structure will begin to be raised for installation. . . .
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

--William Jennings Bryan
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Post by icejammer »

More than a sculpture
Jonathan Borofsky sees things on a larger scale than most. . . .

The large aluminum sculpture is expected to be completed today at its location hear the Mid-America Center.

When Borofsky speaks of art, his passion for what it stands for and the possibilities of what it can do is evident. The 68-year-old retains a soft Boston accent though he hasn't lived there in years, adding a slight "tough guy" sound to the artist with a calming demeanor. . . .

"Every culture has ... art to represent its thoughts and feelings," said Borofsky, citing ancient Roman and Greek times to present day. "It's the poetic part of the culture."

And by placing public art in a city, it creates "a feeling of a cultural city," said Borofsky. . . .

While the area around the MAC could become a destination for public art fans, Borofsky sees things a different way. To him, the exciting thing about public art is that people see it throughout their normal everyday lives.

"I like the context of people just passing by," said Borofsky.

Even more appealing is that those who wouldn't go to a museum are exposed to art in the process. . . .

When Borofsky heard about the grand vision of the city's plan, he seemed impress.

"Something very unique is going on here," said Borofsky.

His "Molecule Man" is just the start.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

--William Jennings Bryan
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Post by Jason4225 »

I drove past there on the interstate coming down I-29 onto 80 east and saw "molecule man" for the first time. You can see it if you are looking for it but I thought it would be easier to see. If you are westbound, it didn't seem like you would see it due to the angle that it is placed.

After I saw it, I thought about driving to the MAC area and admiring the public art. :;):
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Post by Jason4225 »

Has anyone else driven past "molecule man"? Just wanted to see the reaction from other members. I also heard that it cost $1.8 million. Is there that much benefit to spend that kind of money on public art in that location?
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Post by icejammer »

I like Molecule Man.  And I think it speaks volumes about the community at large to have such a fantastic piece of art by such a well-known artist in the metro.  Who cares what it cost?
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Post by thenewguy »

Though the location isn't as prominent right now, I'm sure that in the future (with increased traffic flow, indoor ski slope, and additional restaurants/retail in that area) it will prove to be a valuable piece to look at.
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Post by Jason4225 »

icejammer wrote:I like Molecule Man.  And I think it speaks volumes about the community at large to have such a fantastic piece of art by such a well-known artist in the metro.  Who cares what it cost?
I apologize if it seemed that I was saying that the money spent wasn't worth it. I was just trying to get others opinions on what the benefits were to having this piece of art.  

Personally I like the piece as well. I have seen a lot of public art over the years that makes you scratch your head. I like how it has three total pieces allowing it to be viewed from multiple angles.

What I am eagerly awaiting is what the 24th street bridge will look like when it is completed. The landscaping in the renderings was amazing and when the sculptures are eventually added, it will be a bridge unlike anything else around.
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