Sky Bloom - Downtown art piece by Janet Echelman (Phoenix: real estate, university)

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by joninaz

I'm a big fan of public art but this looks too much like a floating urinal or some sort of 3D model of a digestive system. Maybe if it erupts every half hour like a reverse "old faithful" it would be entertaining... except for the people directly underneath.

LOL...

That's just what I need to see on my lunch hour!

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Magnum Mike

One more thing, art belongs in art museums, not in the middle of a downtown business district, especially when it's the center piece of a 5-acre area that'll be wasted. Art in a downtown business district should be magnificent 50 story tower with beautiful architecture, not something that looks like a parachute with a hole in it.

I completely agree, Mike. This sculpture is a waste of money. I recall hearing that two million dollars of TAXPAYER money is being used to finance this. It wouldn't be so bad if the private sector was fully contributing to it ... but I still can't see how this will improve art & culture in downtown Phoenix.

As for the bird idea, I said a long time ago that there should be a 1,000 foot tower in the shape of the Phoenix bird to add majesty to our sklyline ... just as the Space Needle in Seattle, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis added dignity to their skylines. Of course, the FAA & the NIMBYs would raise a fuss over the height (as usual).

[joninaz]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I completely agree, Mike. This sculpture is a waste of money. I recall hearing that two million dollars of TAXPAYER money is being used to finance this. It wouldn't be so bad if the private sector was fully contributing to it ... but I still can't see how this will improve art & culture in downtown Phoenix.

As for the bird idea, I said a long time ago that there should be a 1,000 foot tower in the shape of the Phoenix bird to add majesty to our sklyline ... just as the Space Needle in Seattle, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis added dignity to their skylines. Of course, the FAA & the NIMBYs would raise a fuss over the height (as usual).

That would be cool. Imagine the skyline with a 1,000 ft tall Phoenix battling an 800 ft. tall Gilbertzilla.

[Bungle]

I think everyone here needs to read the FAQs about the Phoenix Community Arts Project...especially those criticizing the cost...

COMMUNITY ARTS PROJECT

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I completely agree, Mike. This sculpture is a waste of money. I recall hearing that two million dollars of TAXPAYER money is being used to finance this. It wouldn't be so bad if the private sector was fully contributing to it ... but I still can't see how this will improve art & culture in downtown Phoenix.

As for the bird idea, I said a long time ago that there should be a 1,000 foot tower in the shape of the Phoenix bird to add majesty to our sklyline ... just as the Space Needle in Seattle, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis added dignity to their skylines. Of course, the FAA & the NIMBYs would raise a fuss over the height (as usual).

Totally agree. Waste of taxpayer money that could be put to better use. And a tall structure like the Eiffle Tower, or Statue of Liberty size for a Phoenix Bird rising should be built with pvt funds.
About 30-40 years ago, near 20th st and camelback, in front of one of the shopping centers, there was a 16 foot sculptured Phoenix bird, and it was a popular tourist spot for pictures at the time.
The first time I saw a rendering of this so called art piece what came to mind was it looked like a topical diaphram. And if you look at the OP's last photo you'll see what I mean.

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by Livewire

I can definately relate to that...the flames, the bird. When we drove to Az the past weekend it was downright HOT. It must have been close to 118 where we broke down and were stranded out in the middle of the flipping desert, but I didnt check the weather report for that particular area. We do know the temps were 111 degrees at 7pm when we got to Casa Grande, so it HAD to have been hotter than that, that day. Gawd, everyone asked me how the HE** I could live out there all those years. That was a question even I couldnt answer but sure dont miss it. Every flipping day, no thanks. The symbol of fire definately suits many parts of Az though!

A flipping bird in the middle of the flipping desert.. Hmmm.... Okay, I won't say anything about flipping birds...

Livewire, actually the Phoenix bird represents the city, which rose out of the ashes. There was an ancient city here, but it died out, then the Native Americans, and the Pioneers, who came here in the 1800's, helped build a city out of the "ashes", hence, the Phoenix Bird.

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by nitram

Totally agree. Waste of taxpayer money that could be put to better use. And a tall structure like the Eiffle Tower, or Statue of Liberty size for a Phoenix Bird rising should be built with pvt funds.
About 30-40 years ago, near 20th st and camelback, in front of one of the shopping centers, there was a 16 foot sculptured Phoenix bird, and it was a popular tourist spot for pictures at the time.
The first time I saw a rendering of this so called art piece what came to mind was it looked like a topical diaphram. And if you look at the OP's last photo you'll see what I mean.

Town & Country Shopping Center, I remember the sculptured bird that was there, but I forgot what they did with it.

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by Magnum Mike

Town & Country Shopping Center, I remember the sculptured bird that was there, but I forgot what they did with it.

Thanks for reminding me what the name of the shopping center was. We used to shop there quite a bit when we first moved to a place near there. Went to the movies hous at the rear of the center many times. Shopped at Sears too across the street. Man has that area changed over the years.
I believe, might be wrong, when the shopping center was sold and renovated the new owners didn't like the statue and the bird came down.
Wasn't there a Bob's Big Boy near there too. Can't remember. Do remember Bob's having problems with people stealing the ol Big Bob statue ocassionally. And up the street there was a 50's diner too. Haven't been over in that area in years. Well nice to reminisce.

[Finger Laker]

I'm torn on the downtown one - some days I think it's cool - other days I think it will just provide another canopy for the homeless that will be displaced from pioneer park.........

on a similar but different note, here is the sculpture they are going to put in goodyear next to the spring training complex - lots of mixed reviews as well, but I think I kind of dig it

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

on a similar but different note, here is the sculpture they are going to put in goodyear next to the spring training complex - lots of mixed reviews as well, but I think I kind of dig it

Ugh! What is that??? Looks like a deflated baseball that someone tried (poorly I might add) to make it look like some sort of sail. Looks like a really, really bad Salvador Dali take on a acid-induced baseball dream or something.