In October, residents who look at the hillside at the U.S. 250 Bypass and Meadowbrook Heights Road will see not one, but three new whale tails.
Sculptor Thomas Givens said that ArtInPlace - a local nonprofit that annually installs sculptures around Charlottesville - has chosen his three newer whale tail pieces to be a part of its 2010-11 exhibit year. The trio will be on display from October to September 2011 on the familiar hillside, where Givens’ first giant whale tail was situated before a destructive microburst damaged it beyond repair.
“I love the whale tail,” Mayor Dave Norris said. “I’m glad we’re getting three in its place.”
Since building the original, 26-foot-wide wooden sperm whale tail that many considered to be a local landmark, Givens has constructed three humpback whale tails that are smaller, varying between 14 and 16 feet wide, and have been stained to expose the wood instead of being painted black.
Givens said the three are a little smaller, “but they make up for it in numbers. I think it’s gonna be a good substitute.”
ArtInPlace President Elizabeth Breeden said nine sculptures would be a part of the next exhibit year. She said she was curious to see how the three smaller whale tails looked once they were installed.
“I know the size is listed, it’s just you never know how much impact a piece is going to have until it’s really there,” Breeden said.
Most ArtInPlace sculptures stick around for one exhibit year unless they become a part of the city’s permanent collection, in which case the sculpture is purchased. The city had been leasing-to-own the first whale tail sculpture from Givens for $250 per month since Dec. 31, 2007, until it was ruined by inclement weather.
Under the five-year contract, the city is released from the agreement should the whale tail become damaged beyond repair. On the other hand, the city would have owned the tail had it lasted the duration of the contract.
The first tail was taken down about three or four weeks ago, Givens said.
When Givens thought of submitting the newer whale tails, he said they were in his backyard and not doing much good there. Plus, he said, he misses seeing the swooping sculpture from the road.
“There’s a void. I’m looking forward to seeing that void filled,” he said.
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