Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

ita · Post by **ita** » Fri Nov 18, 2022 9:34 am

Omaha Holiday Lights Festival kicks off in Gene Leahy Mall on Thanksgiving

Jessica Wade
Omaha’s annual Holiday Lights Festival will bring lighting displays and community events back to the downtown Gene Leahy Mall and continue a tradition of advocating for food relief efforts.

In its 23rd season, the community festival again partners with the Shine the Light on Hunger fundraising campaign to benefit Food Bank for the Heartland.

The event will kick off Thanksgiving night with a 6 p.m. lighting ceremony in the Gene Leahy Mall’s pavilion. A multimedia show of lights and video projections will be accompanied by holiday music throughout the park.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced the event Thursday morning alongside festival organizers with Conagra, the Downtown Omaha Inc. Foundation, Food Bank for the Heartland and Baker’s Supermarkets.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Nov 18, 2022 10:04 am

Omaha Holiday Lights Festival back at Gene Leahy Mall

Omaha's Holiday Lights Festival is back at Gene Leahy Mall this year.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:49 pm

Holiday Lights Festival kicks off season of events around downtown Omaha
Holiday Lights Festival returns to Gene Leahy Mall for the first time since 2018.

The Holiday Lights Festival celebrates its first season at the renovated Gene Leahy Mall this year. The Festival features free holiday events and light displays from Nov. 24 to Jan. 2. The RiverFront also hosts Holly Days Dec. 3 and 10, where a light show illuminates at 6 p.m. Advertisement
Events follow up Thursday's 6 p.m. kick-off ceremony: The Making Spirits Bright Concert will take place after the lighting ceremony on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center. This concert is free, and seating is available on a first-come-first-served.

Downtown Omaha season of events kicks off with Holiday Lights Festival

Holiday Lights Festival kicks off season of events around downtown Omaha

Making Spirits Bright Concert, with emcee Jonah Gilmore from KETV NewsWatch 7, will feature a selection of holiday music performed by the Nebraska Wind Symphony and special guest vocalist Ryan Daly. The KETV Family Festival, presented by Bank of America, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown Omaha’s favorite attractions will offer free admission as well as holiday activities and entertainment. There will also be a free trolley service transporting festivalgoers between venues.

Holiday Lights Festival kicks off season of events around downtown Omaha

The New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular on Dec. 31 bids farewell to 2022 near CHI Heath Center Omaha at 10th and Cass Streets. Free parking will be available in CHI Health Center Omaha parking lots.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Nov 25, 2022 8:16 am

Holiday Lights Festival kicks off season of events around downtown Omaha

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Fri Nov 25, 2022 5:36 pm

I think the underground video display could become an Omaha instagram staple, after watching people in the mall for a bit today.

And it looks so great!

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Fri Nov 25, 2022 9:29 pm

The mall was absolutely packed at 8 o’clock tonight. Should be even more pronounced when HOA park, Mercantile, and the streetcar open up. Cannot overstate what a shot in the arm this remodel has been for downtown.

ita · Post by **ita** » Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:23 am

Linkin5 wrote: Fri Nov 25, 2022 9:29 pm The mall was absolutely packed at 8 o’clock tonight. Should be even more pronounced when HOA park, Mercantile, and the streetcar open up. Cannot overstate what a shot in the arm this remodel has been for downtown.

We went down as well. It was really busy and everyone seemed to enjoy the light show. The projector system is sweet. And I had the same thoughts; it's only going to get better once HOA, L&C open up. One thing missing though; someone needs to sell some hot chocolate there! Seriously though, it's great and I am looking forward to how they expand the holiday lights with the other parks next year.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Sat Nov 26, 2022 2:17 am

ita wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:23 am
Linkin5 wrote: Fri Nov 25, 2022 9:29 pm The mall was absolutely packed at 8 o’clock tonight. Should be even more pronounced when HOA park, Mercantile, and the streetcar open up. Cannot overstate what a shot in the arm this remodel has been for downtown.
We went down as well. It was really busy and everyone seemed to enjoy the light show. The projector system is sweet. And I had the same thoughts; it's only going to get better once HOA, L&C open up. One thing missing though; someone needs to sell some hot chocolate there! Seriously though, it's great and I am looking forward to how they expand the holiday lights with the other parks next year.

They had it there on Thursday night - a coffee truck too. Yeah, that stuns me that’s not a normal presence at least on the weekends down there during the winter?

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:07 pm

At the mall tonight Saturday about 7pm. I wouldn't say it was packed but they had a nice size crowd.

When I was at the GLM Saturday, I was saddened to think that soon the iconic Woodmen will no longer be visible from the center of the mall. I'm sure the new Mutual tower will look great, I'll bet Woodmen thought they would have that view forever. I sure did.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:56 pm

Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony at Gene Leahy Mall, Omaha

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Nov 29, 2022 9:30 pm

Cermak wrote: Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:07 pm

At the mall tonight Saturday about 7pm. I wouldn't say it was packed but they had a nice size crowd.

When I was at the GLM Saturday, I was saddened to think that soon the iconic Woodmen will no longer be visible from the center of the mall. I'm sure the new Mutual tower will look great, I'll bet Woodmen thought they would have that view forever. I sure did.

That’s a very nice pic.. Thanks for posting

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

ItsAllAboutMe · Post by **ItsAllAboutMe** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 2:03 pm

Very large Kaneko sculpture installed at the east end of the pond. Very nice addition to the mall.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:11 pm

Eye-catching bronze head sculpture by Omaha artist Jun Kaneko installed downtown

omaha.com wrote:

It weighs about 4,000 pounds and is 16 feet high by 9 feet wide.

The bronze head overlooks the pond, which serves almost as a reflecting pool. The piece, like others in the park, is designed to withstand weather and public interaction, Bassett said.

The bronze head is one of eight art pieces in the newly renovated park, although it's the first to sit in the part of the park that is east of 10th Street. The sculpture, made specifically for the park, was privately funded.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:13 pm

Okay, that's super cool.

Glad to see that the GL mall is really getting a-head....over the winter.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:29 pm

It's not quite the Bean in Chicago, but that will be Instagram bait for sure.

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:33 pm

iamjacobm wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:29 pm It's not quite the Bean in Chicago, but that will be Instagram bait for sure.

I’m going to guess this will be Omaha’s signature art installation. I like.

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:41 pm

Woah, nice! We will check it out when it's not so wet outside. I really like how the vibrant color of the sculpture.

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:12 pm

Hmmmmmm

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 6:09 pm

Saw this today, was wondering what it was. Looks interesting.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Dec 12, 2022 9:02 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:11 pm Eye-catching bronze head sculpture by Omaha artist Jun Kaneko installed downtown

omaha.com wrote:

It weighs about 4,000 pounds and is 16 feet high by 9 feet wide.

The bronze head overlooks the pond, which serves almost as a reflecting pool. The piece, like others in the park, is designed to withstand weather and public interaction, Bassett said.

The bronze head is one of eight art pieces in the newly renovated park, although it's the first to sit in the part of the park that is east of 10th Street. The sculpture, made specifically for the park, was privately funded.

Absolutely distinctive and absolutely cool looking…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **Brad** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:24 am

Here is a side view from the Riverfront Facebook page:

319899746_519697650181204_910572224424321052_n.jpg

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 2:47 pm

i think it looks great. Kaneko has an unmistakable style, and it is great he's represented at the most prominent park in the area

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 2:54 pm

Yeah, I really dig this installation.

OmahaOmaha · Post by **OmahaOmaha** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 8:13 pm

I don’t see anything great about it. It’s just a big head and a color scheme that anybody with some paint and masking tape could do. The artist has been mass producing all these silly head sculptures for years. They look like something that should be on a goofy putt putt course instead.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 8:36 pm

I like this even more, the more I look at it. Could become the favorite Art piece at the mall.

legato9 · Post by **legato9** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 11:22 pm

OmahaOmaha wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 8:13 pm I don’t see anything great about it. It’s just a big head and a color scheme that anybody with some paint and masking tape could do. The artist has been mass producing all these silly head sculptures for years. They look like something that should be on a goofy putt putt course instead.

Yup. This.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 11:50 pm

Cermak wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 8:36 pm I like this even more, the more I look at it. Could become the favorite Art piece at the mall.

Agreed..

This is a unique piece of art. If this was placed as a prominent display piece at an urban location some here would consider a “celestial haven” it would be deemed as a masterpiece of progressive art. Because it is placed at a prominent location in Omaha, it’s minimized as “just a big head” better placed in a “Putt Putt course”..

SMH..

Some will never be satisfied..

Enjoy the art. Enjoy the remodeled Gene Leahy Mall..Both are the envy of pretty much every city that plays in Omaha’s peer group; and maybe cities a notch or 2 higher on the population food chain…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

OmahaOmaha · Post by **OmahaOmaha** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:03 am

There is nothing spectacular about this “art”. It looks like one of those styrofoam heads that stores use to display wigs on, only it’s much, much bigger. These styrofoam heads can be bought for as little as $1.99. If you gave these heads out to everyone in a 4th grade class and gave them some paint and masking tape, I would bet they could easily come up with something just as good, if not better. Is it merely the size that makes this art? Is this a case where “bigger is better”?

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:09 am

Looks great I really like it. Will be a nice focal point by the water.

Doctor Fate · Post by **Doctor Fate** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:23 am

I visited the new GLM when I was back in Omaha for Thanksgiving. Absolutely LOVED it. I was expecting it to be well done, but I was really surprised at how it changed the feel and vibe of the core. It made downtown Omaha seem much larger than it is and it was fun to see how many people were utilizing the amenities of the park and actually hanging out, not just walking through.

I think this new piece is a fantastic addition! Wish it would've been there when I visited.

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:27 am

OmahaOmaha wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:03 am There is nothing spectacular about this “art”. It looks like one of those styrofoam heads that stores use to display wigs on, only it’s much, much bigger. These styrofoam heads can be bought for as little as $1.99. If you gave these heads out to everyone in a 4th grade class and gave them some paint and masking tape, I would bet they could easily come up with something just as good, if not better. Is it merely the size that makes this art? Is this a case where “bigger is better”?

I remember going to Joslyn and not really getting some of the pieces I've seen before. Thinking, "Well, anyone could paint a huge canvas a single color." I still struggle sometimes with abstract art, but try to not be such a curmudgeon about it since we all know that art is subjective and we don't have to get it to appreciate it. Maybe try to move past your thought that it's too simple, basic, and cheap looking to you and see it for yourself in person to see how it works in the environment it's in. If you still hate it, no big deal...the world would be boring if everyone just loved everything all the time.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:03 am

OmahaOmaha wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:03 am There is nothing spectacular about this “art”. It looks like one of those styrofoam heads that stores use to display wigs on, only it’s much, much bigger. These styrofoam heads can be bought for as little as $1.99. If you gave these heads out to everyone in a 4th grade class and gave them some paint and masking tape, I would bet they could easily come up with something just as good, if not better. Is it merely the size that makes this art? Is this a case where “bigger is better”?

Then I look forward to your artistic contribution to the GLM since it's child's play. I'm sure it will be stunning.

Omahayngin · Post by **Omahayngin** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:12 pm

Hey y’all I’ve stalking for a while now but just decided to register haha I live in Omaha and 19 and hope to bring some younger voice on here
Anywayss the white neck thing in the 1st pic of it looks cool I wish it was actually part of the Design instead of just smooth( in the second)but still cool looking tbh also what if it gets dubbed the “mannequin head” like the Chicago bean lol

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:32 pm

Omahayngin wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:12 pm Hey y’all I’ve stalking for a while now but just decided to register haha I live in Omaha and 19 and hope to bring some younger voice on here
Anywayss the white neck thing in the 1st pic of it looks cool I wish it was actually part of the Design instead of just smooth( in the second)but still cool looking tbh also what if it gets dubbed the “mannequin head” like the Chicago bean lol

I registered here when I was 14 and now I’m… no longer that age.

legato9 · Post by **legato9** » Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:33 am

OmahaOmaha wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:03 am There is nothing spectacular about this “art”. It looks like one of those styrofoam heads that stores use to display wigs on, only it’s much, much bigger. These styrofoam heads can be bought for as little as $1.99. If you gave these heads out to everyone in a 4th grade class and gave them some paint and masking tape, I would bet they could easily come up with something just as good, if not better. Is it merely the size that makes this art? Is this a case where “bigger is better”?

I think it’s debatable as to whether this even *is* art.

I’m leaning toward “it’s decoration,” but it’s a borderline case.

Either way, I’m with you. It isn’t good.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Dec 15, 2022 11:09 am

legato9 wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:33 am
OmahaOmaha wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:03 am There is nothing spectacular about this “art”. It looks like one of those styrofoam heads that stores use to display wigs on, only it’s much, much bigger. These styrofoam heads can be bought for as little as $1.99. If you gave these heads out to everyone in a 4th grade class and gave them some paint and masking tape, I would bet they could easily come up with something just as good, if not better. Is it merely the size that makes this art? Is this a case where “bigger is better”?
I think it’s debatable as to whether this even *is* art.

I’m leaning toward “it’s decoration,” but it’s a borderline case.

Either way, I’m with you. It isn’t good.

Can either of you explain to a non-art buff why this particular piece is not Art, with a capital A? Is the giant aluminum pan guy across the river Art? Is the Bean, another public installation, Art? If so, why is that lauded as Art and not this colorful head? I am trying to gauge what you all think is Art and merely decoration; is there a difference. Again I am not an Art guy; I will look at famous pieces or pieces that are "good" or provocative and get nothing from them. I have neither the experience or vocabulary to assess art as Art. Like for me, this Kaneko installation, reminds me of a giant buddha head statute, like the one in Sagat's stage in Street Fighter II, crossed with an Easter Island head. At the end of the lagoon it's kind of peaceful and contemplative.

TransitOriented · Post by **TransitOriented** » Thu Dec 15, 2022 12:22 pm

Regarding Sagat in Street Fighter : https://streetfighter.fandom.com/wiki/Ayutthaya_Ruins

I've actually never thought of the bean in Chicago as art. I just considered it a neat tourist attraction, like any other Instagram thing.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Dec 15, 2022 1:01 pm

Art is a really broad term. Here is one definition I like:

"a visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination"

legato9 · Post by **legato9** » Thu Dec 15, 2022 4:39 pm

ita wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 11:09 am
legato9 wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:33 am
OmahaOmaha wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:03 am There is nothing spectacular about this “art”. It looks like one of those styrofoam heads that stores use to display wigs on, only it’s much, much bigger. These styrofoam heads can be bought for as little as $1.99. If you gave these heads out to everyone in a 4th grade class and gave them some paint and masking tape, I would bet they could easily come up with something just as good, if not better. Is it merely the size that makes this art? Is this a case where “bigger is better”?
I think it’s debatable as to whether this even *is* art.

I’m leaning toward “it’s decoration,” but it’s a borderline case.

Either way, I’m with you. It isn’t good.
Can either of you explain to a non-art buff why this particular piece is not Art, with a capital A? Is the giant aluminum pan guy across the river Art? Is the Bean, another public installation, Art? If so, why is that lauded as Art and not this colorful head? I am trying to gauge what you all think is Art and merely decoration; is there a difference. Again I am not an Art guy; I will look at famous pieces or pieces that are "good" or provocative and get nothing from them. I have neither the experience or vocabulary to assess art as Art. Like for me, this Kaneko installation, reminds me of a giant buddha head statute, like the one in Sagat's stage in Street Fighter II, crossed with an Easter Island head. At the end of the lagoon it's kind of peaceful and contemplative.

“Art” is a recreation of reality based on an artist’s values.

For example, imagine two otherwise identical paintings of a beautiful woman, but in one painting, the artist put a zit on her nose. In the other, she’s flawless.

Each artist is saying something dramatically different about mankind. The first may be saying that we are hopelessly flawed. The second may be saying that we can reach a perfect ideal.

It’s the things about reality that the artist chooses to incorporate and the values that they represent that make a piece “art.”

“Decoration” is something (hopefully) nice to look at. It doesn’t have a message or value judgment. Like a beautiful frame. Or a vase. Or a column.

Both art and decoration may be great or bad or anywhere in between.

It’s perfectly possible to love bad art. Or hate great art. (There is bad art that I love, and great art that I hate. There’s no contradiction in that.)

But things like random scraps of metal, or the Bean in Chicago are not “art.” In the case of the scrap metal, I might even argue that they’re “anti-art.” Which is utterly offensive. But that’s a different topic.

In the case of the Bean, I think it’s very good decoration.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Dec 15, 2022 6:27 pm

legato9 wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 4:39 pm
ita wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 11:09 am
legato9 wrote: Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:33 am
OmahaOmaha wrote: Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:03 am There is nothing spectacular about this “art”. It looks like one of those styrofoam heads that stores use to display wigs on, only it’s much, much bigger. These styrofoam heads can be bought for as little as $1.99. If you gave these heads out to everyone in a 4th grade class and gave them some paint and masking tape, I would bet they could easily come up with something just as good, if not better. Is it merely the size that makes this art? Is this a case where “bigger is better”?
I think it’s debatable as to whether this even *is* art.

I’m leaning toward “it’s decoration,” but it’s a borderline case.

Either way, I’m with you. It isn’t good.
Can either of you explain to a non-art buff why this particular piece is not Art, with a capital A? Is the giant aluminum pan guy across the river Art? Is the Bean, another public installation, Art? If so, why is that lauded as Art and not this colorful head? I am trying to gauge what you all think is Art and merely decoration; is there a difference. Again I am not an Art guy; I will look at famous pieces or pieces that are "good" or provocative and get nothing from them. I have neither the experience or vocabulary to assess art as Art. Like for me, this Kaneko installation, reminds me of a giant buddha head statute, like the one in Sagat's stage in Street Fighter II, crossed with an Easter Island head. At the end of the lagoon it's kind of peaceful and contemplative.
“Art” is a recreation of reality based on an artist’s values.

For example, imagine two otherwise identical paintings of a beautiful woman, but in one painting, the artist put a zit on her nose. In the other, she’s flawless.

Each artist is saying something dramatically different about mankind. The first may be saying that we are hopelessly flawed. The second may be saying that we can reach a perfect ideal.

It’s the things about reality that the artist chooses to incorporate and the values that they represent that make a piece “art.”

“Decoration” is something (hopefully) nice to look at. It doesn’t have a message or value judgment. Like a beautiful frame. Or a vase. Or a column.

Both art and decoration may be great or bad or anywhere in between.

It’s perfectly possible to love bad art. Or hate great art. (There is bad art that I love, and great art that I hate. There’s no contradiction in that.)

But things like random scraps of metal, or the Bean in Chicago are not “art.” In the case of the scrap metal, I might even argue that they’re “anti-art.” Which is utterly offensive. But that’s a different topic.

In the case of the Bean, I think it’s very good decoration.

On that train of thought what’s the value judgement of the Mona Lisa? What great message about humanity is being told there? Some art just exists to be beautiful, or ugly, without being questioned as art.