Mass Ave Rotating Sculpture Program
The art is designed to give pedestrians an interesting, unexpected experience that builds on the Mass Ave Cultural District’s growing reputation as an exciting Indianapolis cultural destination that supports the expressions of local artists, chefs, boutique owners, architects and more.
Started in 2003, Mass Ave’s temporary rotating sculpture gallery has featured five rounds of sculpture by Indiana artists. Typically each artwork has remained on display for 10 months to a year. Artists have received a stipend in return for lending their existing artwork for display.
The Arts Council of Indianapolis partnered with Riley Area Development and the Mass Ave Streetscape Arts and Programming Committee to rethink the goals of and strategies for administering the portion of their public art program that allows for temporary art installations on the Avenue. Primary funding for this round of public art is being provided through Public Art Indianapolis, a program managed by the Arts Council and funded by the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission.
“The Mass Ave Cultural District always has been known for its eclectic character and artistic flair,” said Mindy Taylor Ross, director of Public Art for the Arts Council of Indianapolis. “This year’s selections will contribute to the growing sophistication of Mass Ave’s cultural offerings. We hope the artworks cause people to look twice, start conversations about what defines an artwork, and discuss the ways art can be integrated into our city to enrich the environment for Indy residents and visitors. ”
The call for entries not only went out to Indiana artists, but also to artists in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois. However, the four project proposals that were selected are all by Indiana artists. Each artist has been awarded a $5,000 stipend that assisted in the production of new artworks to premiere on Mass Ave.
-Cardinal, by Brian McCutcheon, consists of 20 to 31 cast plastic cardinals, slightly over life-size, in various positions along the guard rail and signage at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Bellefontaine Street.
-Truth/Lies, by Jamie Pawlus, features two 46-inch tall steel suggestion boxes with the words “Truth” and “Lies” printed on them. The boxes stand next to newspaper boxes in Davlan Park, north of the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Alabama Street, near Starbucks Coffee.
-Knotted Lamp, by Andrew Hunter, “transforms a piece of urban infrastructure into a sculptural object,” according to the artist. The 18- to 20-foot aluminum lamp pole has a knot three-quarters of the way up the pole. The piece is installed on a pedestrian traffic island near the Credit Union at Massachusetts Avenue and East Street.
-Circle Canoe, by James Darr, is comprised of a circular, whimsical canoe and will be installed on the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and East Street near Barton Towers. According to Darr, the piece is a “commentary on passing time and never-ending rituals.”
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