The Seattle Times reports that Mike Ross, the artist who brought “Big Rig Jig” to the Playa in 2007, won a grant from the Sound Transit organization to build a large sculpture in a new light rail station:
“Big Rig Jig” artist lands Sound Transit gig
Apparently, the art administrator from Sound Transit had seen the work on the Playa and Mike was chosen out of 120 fellow artists.
UPDATE — June 12, 2008
There is apparently much controversy to be had over Mike Ross’ upcoming jet plane sculpture in Seattle. Even the comments for this post below were briefly populated by a somewhat irate gentleman. Today, a news story just arrived concerning a recent press statement by Ross — again — concerning his neutral intentions on the project.
Artist again defends proposed sculpture
Many think work is inappropriate in a time of war
What a drag as this will no doubt mean the city of Seattle will eventually balk at the notion that some people might have their delicate feathers ruffled. I say delicate because, like the commenter mentioned previously, the worst is assumed loudest and first.
Of course a sculpture of jet planes as reassembled must represent the obvious and morbid image of a deadly crash. From commenter: “Perhaps we should hope Ross’s[sic] plans don’t include a few broken and bleeding bodies for authenticity.”
Yet, Ross keeps explaining how the vision is playful and reflective of natural elegance and peace, using the soft image of a “heron taking flight” as inspiration. Oddly, I doubt many, except for a few long-haired and ignored peaceniks, would raise a stink if the city wanted decommission a tank in a public space as a blatant symbol of war and support thereof. Showing the actual object of war, as a symbol of war, in all its deadly might and aggression, would be normal and therefore acceptable. “Support the Troops!” through blind support of war.
In contrast, re-envisioning a symbol of war, such as a jet fighter, as an object of grace, beauty, and peace is decried as a callous act of disrespect to the whole world. Good lord, what priorities we have as a nation! We’re so absorbed in an age-old culture of violence and hatred to forward our good ol’ American values, that our standards are just plain twisted.
There’s no doubt in my mind we need a sculpture like Ross’ to help us break out of our deadly slumbers and reassemble the landscape of our inner and outer lives.
Flip Your Lid! 2008 – April 17
