DID YOU EVER WONDER: Why a diamond ring at the City Ad Building?
My wife and I wonder why there is a sculpture of a wedding ring in front of City Hall at the corner of Nevada and Colorado avenues in downtown Colorado Springs. I can think of several funny answers, but I’m interested to learn why that piece of sculpture was chosen for that location.
— David Huffman
ANSWER: Denise Schall, program coordinator for the Art on the Streets program, said, “I wish I had a really sexy answer for why we chose that location. I know some people have complained that during this time of economic crisis we shouldn’t be displaying signs of opulence. My answer is, economic crisis or not, diamonds are still a girl’s best friend. (note: The piece by Doyle Svenby is called “A Girl’s Best Friend.”)
“Many people think that the city is placing this art downtown and using city tax dollars to fund the program. We like having the opportunity to let people know that Art on the Streets receives no public funding and is completely funded by private donations. We had originally hoped to display the piece on a downtown sidewalk but the sculpture is too big to fit on one of our sidewalks without impeding pedestrian traffic.
“So, we went looking for a spot with a bigger footprint that could accommodate the sculpture. The spot in front of the City Administration Building has a nice wide curb bump out.
“There is a lot of pedestrian traffic there with the city parking garage across the street, and we like to try to place art where the public can really interact with it. I can see the sculpture from my office window in the Plaza of the Rockies and I have actually seen couples getting their picture taken in front of it on several occasions.
“Interestingly, I contacted the city and shared a photo and asked for their blessing before installing the artwork at that location and they didn’t see any problem with public perception, either. As you know, public art, by nature, invites controversy. If people are talking about the art that means they noticed it, and that’s what we want to happen.”
The Art on the Streets program is a yearlong, competitive exhibition that earns a nice cash award for the three top winners. See artonthestreets.com.
One of the pieces will be purchased to remain here and, indeed, one already has.
“Evolution of Flora,” an eye-catching kinetic piece with leaves that twist and sparkle in the wind, has been purchased by the board of the Colorado Springs World Arena and will remain in its spot outside Pikes Peak Center. The sculptor is Jason Stillman of Arizona.
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