Sculpture in the Streets 2010
The piece outside 30 South Pearl.
Sebastien has put together an excellent photoset, post and map of this year's Sculpture in the Streets exhibit in downtown Albany. He comments:
This body of work by Seward Johnson, an American artist known for his hyper-realistic imagery, is part of a collection of 250 cast bronze figures depicting people of all ages engaged in day-to-day activities. I invite you to take a nice, long walk downtown Albany and take a closer look at these intriguing sculptures. Bring metaphorical hiking shoes because you are about to embark on a trip down the Uncanny Valley.
Each sculpture is sponsored by a local business or organization (among, them We Want Trader Joe's in the Capital District). One of the sculptures, "Crossing Paths," was "community sponsored."
The series of sculptures will be in place until October.
Earlier on AOA:
+ Sculpture in the Streets 2009
+ Sculpture in the Streets 2008
photo: Sebastien B
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Comments
Too bad there aren't any actual people in downtown Albany.
... said Herbert on Jun 23, 2010 at 6:07 PM | link
When my friend Emily and I first saw the statue near Capital Rep, she screamed and I was deeply disturbed. The sculptures are so lifelike and intricate that I've thought one was a homeless man in a suit and I thought a real man bending down was one of the statues. I don't know how I feel about that.
... said KatherineSass on Jun 23, 2010 at 6:35 PM | link
While I'm glad the city is thinking about art in public spaces, I would much rather see them spend money for permanent art and art by local artists rather than spending money at the rent-a-statue store.
BTW, one reason they seem so real is that J Seward Johnson works from castings of real people.
... said TimS on Jun 23, 2010 at 8:27 PM | link
Definitely thought there was a mariachi band downtown yesterday!
... said Kelly Kramer on Jun 24, 2010 at 8:38 AM | link
Looking at fake people on the street is almost as annoying as listening to Karoake in a bar. In fact that's what I'd call it... "sculpture-oake."
... said JoeAlbany on Jun 24, 2010 at 9:37 AM | link
@Joe: I think you don't realize the full potential of leaving sculptures on the street.
... said -S on Jun 24, 2010 at 10:21 AM | link
Why does every piece of 'people sculpture' look as if we've time traveled back to the year of 1975? 'Stache burger, hold the irony.
... said James at 43 on Jun 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM | link
My husband scared the bejeezus out of a friend of ours by walking up to the statue of the guy napping on the bench, slapping his leg and yelling, "get the hell out of here!" She almost had a heart attack.
... said Summer on Jun 24, 2010 at 1:19 PM | link
James, I was thinking the same thing about the statue of the "little old ladies". I was thinking, what is this? 1956?
I think it's great to have public art, but these statues just totally creep me out.
there.
I said it.
They're CREEPY.
... said Rebecca on Jun 24, 2010 at 2:26 PM | link
Did anyone see the bronze statue that kinda resembles Mayor Jerry Jennings? Oh wait, never mind…
... said BT on Jun 24, 2010 at 4:06 PM | link
@James, @Rebecca: Johnson is about 80. 1975 probably felt like the future to him.
... said -S on Jun 24, 2010 at 4:33 PM | link
After bartending into the wee hours of the night these things only serve to scare the living hell out of me on the way home...
Those children in front of the Palace theater have got me 4 or 5 times now, thinking "where the hell are their parents?!?"
... said Litt1eMinx on Jun 26, 2010 at 6:33 PM | link