Vandals attack public monument

[ExNihiloStudio]

Here's a depressing article in today's Boston Globe about the literal destruction of public art in Boston:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/05/10/vandals_strike_at_civil_war_monument/

[fritchie]

You're right that this is a very depressing report, but as a figurative sculptor, there’s something about the report I find even more depressing, and that is complete absence of the sculptor’s name. I remarked on this discrepancy between treatment of figurative and of “abstract” public art several months ago, with regard to my experiences in New Orleans.

I’m not sure, but this memorial may be by Augustus St. Gaudens or Daniel Chester French, two of the most prominent figurative sculptors of the nineteenth century. I think I have seen pictures of this monument in Art books. Certainly, one or the other of these men (St. Gaudens, I believe) did the Boston Civil War Memorial to African - Americans.

Is this or is this not antifigurative bias? If the work were abstract, I’m sure the sculptor’s name would have been included. Just yesterday, for instance, I read in a recent “Sculpture” about the state of Michigan dismantling a large concrete and steel abstract piece and leaving the steel framework in a field to rust away. (That was “Sculpture”, to be sure, but I think a local paper or TV also would name the sculptor.)

[sculptor]

100% agree Fritchie,
unfortunately,
I don't know if anything can be done to correct this bias.
sigh

[RuBert]

I’m not sure, but this memorial may be by Augustus St. Gaudens or Daniel Chester French, two of the most prominent figurative sculptors of the nineteenth century. I think I have seen pictures of this monument in Art books. Certainly, one or the other of these men (St. Gaudens, I believe) did the Boston Civil War Memorial to African - Americans.

Is this or is this not antifigurative bias? If the work were abstract, I’m sure the sculptor’s name would have been included.

The article said:

"It was erected by the City of Boston at a cost of $75,000 in 1877, and dedicated to Civil War veterans in one of the largest city events ever seen at the time. The soldier was one of four figures representing the Army, Navy, peace, and history that surrounded a 72-foot column with another statue, the "Genius of America," on top."

That strikes me as really a big amount of money for 1877. I'm sure just a little more research by the writer could of yielded a name. But as someone who has seen several articles and press shots of my own work with no credit I think it is just a pervasive attitude of not caring rather than slanted because this piece was historic and figurative.

No living sculptor, figurative or non-figurative is as well-known to the general public as even a B movie actor.

[ExNihiloStudio]

The monument is a 10 minute walk from where I work, so I went over and took a couple of photos.

The artist's name is Martin Milmore.

It's a big piece on top of a hill with lots of trees around, so it's tough to photograph in its entirety. I the bronze figures on the lower level are about life size, and it was one of these that were toppled. I also took one with people around to give you a sense of scale.

This monument has been abused in the past. There are 4 reliefs on the lower portion that have arms and heads knocked off. It's been that way for a long time.

fritchie mentioned the monument to the 54th by the legendary St. Gaudens. That one is on the other side of the park and is directly across from the state house.

[sculptor]

Lorenzo medeci (the magnificent) supposedly told michaelangelo
" the powers of destruction are always one step behind the powers of creation"

and

fixing old damage often deters new damage

and

Link to broken statue (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04132/314421.stm)

and (http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/SOS/4KIDS/4kids2000/MAFramingham.htm)

and another (http://www.irishheritagetrail.com/mmilmore.html)
(bio)

I hope the repairs will be done well and timely

rod

[fritchie]

Lorenzo medeci (the magnificent) supposedly told michaelangelo
" the powers of destruction are always one step behind the powers of creation"
and

fixing old damage often deters new damage
etc.
I hope the repairs will be done well and timely

rod

I bought a large book on Michelangelo’s work many years ago, as I started grad school, and I was amazed and disappointed to see that his David had an arm broken off during the Savanarola “antihedonism” campaign against the Medici’s, when a mob took over the city for a few years before sanity was restored. Madness and destruction seem to be with us always.

But, you are right that quick repair deters future damage. From ExNihilo’s reply, it seems that was not done here.

And, Russ, I’m very sorry to hear about your treatment in the press. Mostly, I’m ranting about what I see locally, but the general impression I get from news across the country is that the local scene in not uncommon.