Object Lesson #52

STEPHEN,

What do you call this? Minimal-post-minimalism? Late pop? Figural POMO?

This piece is not unnoticed by me! It is absolutely my most favorite piece of public art in the City of New Haven - a city which has some really terrific public art, I might add. I commend the owner for putting it here. Anne Lehman is a fabulous sculptor (and I'm excited to note that I've recently signed up for her Metal Sculpture course at Creative Arts Workshop - i can't wait!) The City is so lucky to have both her and some of her work here. What a gem! The City's Dept of Cultural Affairs has been undertaking an inventory of New Haven's public art - not just City-owned, but private pieces, Yale-owned pieces, State and Federal artwork as well. While we don't now have the capacity to put it all on-line, anyone is welcome to visit us on the 6th floor of City Hall to look through our book. Every week it seems we stumble upon another piece we didn't know existed. We welcome the input of the community if they know of a mural or sculpture that we may have missed. You can send a note and/or images to me at [email protected]. I was happy to see this piece got painted (it's privately owned) but it would be great if it could be restored as I would hate to eventually lose it to rust.

I love this piece and I love this NHI series. Thanks again.

BTW, I think the rusting helps it look right at home with New Haven's 3rd world sidewalks.

subliminal message: time for an oil change

Bruce - honestly... It's metal, guess what? metal rusts! That's part of its beauty. Not everything has to be shiny and new. Look past what you seen and the world might just amaze you.

Oh, and the sidewalks, in case you haven't noticed, we have varying weather conditions here. It can take its toll on sidewalks too - and I don't think they can be compared to 3rd world sidewalks - and if you do, it just proves how little you actually know.

As a collector with a vision, I'd love to know who insures this piece against liability? I always wondered if it was on city property or private property?

The developing world (and even many parts of world considered to be "developed" now) generally doesn't have sidewalks, except sometimes in some of the historic districts. What they do have are millions upon millions of dead pedestrians. Have you been?

Sigh. I've always thought this thing is ridiculous. Is that what this intersection is about? People moving around in curlicues and then heading back in the direction from which they came? One mover burdening the back of another mover? It's supposed to be about frenzy, or something like that. It hardly makes one contemplate, or consider. It's just a quick joke, and then you move on. THAT'S why it's invisible.

JIFFY LUBE,
Awesomely funny...Anne should take legal action.

Question for the forum....

In a free-for-all battle between...
This sculpture.
The red tubular Lieberman behind City Hall.
The shiny silver Lichtenstein on Hillhouse.
The Oldenburg lipstick tank.

Who wins?

This piece has been an icon of New Haven for me my whole life.

I lived in New Haven as a child, moved away, and moved back more than a decade later. This sculpture was one of the things that I found brought back the strongest memories and associations. I had no idea it was only installed in 1980!

I love its playfulness and the way it uses depth.

Thank you for showing my sculpture. I must get after the landord to repair. Bur please use my name correctly= ANN P LEHMAN