Keep an eye out for new art experiences coming soon to Vincennes! While the First Friday Art Walks have been suspended over the summer and fall, local art galleries have been working on other ways of bringing art engagement to our community. Along with offering virtual art opportunities, the galleries working with other community supporters have created the 1st City Public Sculpture Exhibition 2020.
When completely installed, toward the beginning of November, this show will present seven outdoor sculptures by artists from across the nation that will be shown on loan in Vincennes for three years. They will be placed on city and business properties in the downtown area. These works were selected by a jury committee of art professionals and community stakeholders from a group of 23 pieces entered by 17 artists. They will be accessible for viewing by all who pass by, whether driving, walking or biking, at any time of day. One of the goals of the project is to make art available to the whole community, outside of the gallery setting.
The first piece to be installed is Indianapolis artist Eric Nordgulen’s Travelogue, which can be viewed in the green space at Clark’s Crossing near the Fifth and Perry Street corner. The subject of the work is an early canoe form, shaped by branch-like aluminum “lines’ and supported by aluminum stilts. The piece references the history of the Wabash River.
Another dramatic arrival awaiting construction of a base, is Truth Inside, by MacRae Wylde from Hood River, Oregon. The artist drove the work across the country, stopping for media events along the way, promoting the exhibition and his work. Truth Inside will be installed on Culbertson Boulevard later in the month, near the green space that surrounds the sculpture of Tecumseh. Truth Inside uses negative space to convey the letters of the simple yet powerful word “truth”. It asks the viewer to consider how meaning is communicated both through context (verbal language and what can be seen through the spaces of the letters) and form (the play of positive and negative space).
Five more pieces will be installed over the coming weeks. They are done in a variety of media and styles, and represent artists from Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina and Michigan.
The project has been supported by grants from the City of Vincennes, the Indiana Arts Commission, Duke Energy and Futaba of America, along with donations from area businesses and individuals. Fund-raising is ongoing, as the project managers hope to install educational signage and phone-app opportunities that would allow visitors to learn about the sculptures on site. To contribute, visit Plumfund.com and search for First City Public Sculpture Project.
Blog submitted by Amy DeLap
