Storyteller fountain: Difference between revisions
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In June [[2007]] city workers drained the fountain and painted the interior, below the figures, a bright blue color. No reason has been given publicly for the change, which was harshly criticized by ''[[Birmingham News]]'' columnist [[John Archibald]]. Archibald contacted Fleming about the matter. The artist responded "I guess these days when a city owns a piece of your work it can paint the pedestal whatever color it wants." | In June [[2007]] city workers drained the fountain and painted the interior, below the figures, a bright blue color. No reason has been given publicly for the change, which was harshly criticized by ''[[Birmingham News]]'' columnist [[John Archibald]]. Archibald contacted Fleming about the matter. The artist responded "I guess these days when a city owns a piece of your work it can paint the pedestal whatever color it wants." | ||
On [[July 2]], the city began repainting the fountain's interior black, offering no explanation other than citing their own failure to get approval from the [[Birmingham Design Review Committee]] for the change. | On [[July 2]], the city began repainting the fountain's interior black, offering no explanation other than citing their own failure to get approval from the [[Birmingham Design Review Committee]] for the change. The following week the fountain was encircled by chain-link fence and a team of conservators from New York City began restoring and preserving the sculptures' bronze patina. Signs on the fence identified the work as a conservation project of the [[Birmingham Museum of Art]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Archibald, John (June 24, 2007) "Southside art is singing the blues." ''Birmingham News''. | * Archibald, John (June 24, 2007) "Southside art is singing the blues." ''Birmingham News''. | ||
* "[http://bhamterminal.com/blog/2007/07/11/preserving-the-storyteller/#comment-201 Preserving ''The Storyteller'']". (July 11, 2007) ''The Terminal'' | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 17:11, 11 July 2007
The Storyteller fountain is a fountain located in the heart of Five Points South in front of the Highlands United Methodist Church where 20th Street South, 11th Court South & Magnolia Avenue South converge.
Designed by Frank Fleming and installed in 1992, the fountain is a popular local landmark containing bronze sculptures of fairytale creatures. The sculpture's central figure, with the head of a ram, has been misinterpreted by some as a satanic symbol.
In June 2007 city workers drained the fountain and painted the interior, below the figures, a bright blue color. No reason has been given publicly for the change, which was harshly criticized by Birmingham News columnist John Archibald. Archibald contacted Fleming about the matter. The artist responded "I guess these days when a city owns a piece of your work it can paint the pedestal whatever color it wants."
On July 2, the city began repainting the fountain's interior black, offering no explanation other than citing their own failure to get approval from the Birmingham Design Review Committee for the change. The following week the fountain was encircled by chain-link fence and a team of conservators from New York City began restoring and preserving the sculptures' bronze patina. Signs on the fence identified the work as a conservation project of the Birmingham Museum of Art.
References
- Archibald, John (June 24, 2007) "Southside art is singing the blues." Birmingham News.
- "Preserving The Storyteller". (July 11, 2007) The Terminal
External links
- Photos of the blue-painted fountain at Archibald's "Archiblog."