What do you think of the latest public art installation in the area?
Today’s Talk of the Day isn’t about a story. It’s about a picture. Of artwork. Specifically, a new sculpture that’s been installed by The Gateway Foundation just south of the intersection of Truman Parkway and I-44 in the Lafayette Square neighborhood.
The pictures here of the new installation were taken by my colleague here a the Post-Dispatch, Laurie Skrivan. (Here’s a photo gallery that shows different views of the new sculpture.)
The installation replaces a temporary piece by Bernar Venet (pictured at the bottom of this post).
The new one is called “Treemonisha,” designed by by world-renowned sculptor John Henry of Tennessee, who creates large steel structures that have been compared to rectangular line drawings.
This piece is 81 feet high, approximately 35 feet wide. It weighs 40,00 pounds.
If you check the Regional Arts Council’s web site, 
you can find a great catalog of public art 
around the region. In my experience, nobody is neutral about public art. You see a piece and you have a reaction to it.
Are you that way?
What do you think of the latest installation pictured here? Do you like it more or less than the temporary installation by Bernar Venet that it is replacing?
How about public art in general? Does it have a place? What purpose does it serve?
Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
I like it. I happen to enjoy non-referencial abstract art. It attempts to get past the “this looks like a cow” conventionalisms. It seeks a pure unclouded emotional response from the viewer.
I would say it is very successful, judging from the comments so far.
My challenge towards all the “just a green field” or “this is not art” people is to broaden your view of the world. Take a detour from your daily commute, skip work, read a book, go to a museum, or just do something different and see what happens when you step outside your boring routine. The stark Puritanistic way of life, popular in the Midwest, is so limiting it makes the heart shrivel and beat cold.
A human heart, awakened to itself and to beauty, will see beauty in this.
def. art - these are well done,and intriquing - if u cant think outside the lines, have fun walkn’ ever so straight and dont look left or right, u might fall….
I think it is great that the space was used for a sculpture. I drive by this everyday. I remember the old sculpture. But until now, I never knew it was art. I thought it was some type of construction scrap or leftover materials that were never moved. I love art and sculpture in general. But I do not like this piece at all. But I appreciate that some do. Just being honest.
The South St. Louis pigeons are going to love it - and they will help decorate it with more color!
UGLY, UGLY, REALLY UGLY. TREES ARE MUCH PRETTIER.
Waste of Earth’s natural resources
I live near the artwork, and can see it from my house. I like it. It’s different. People always complain at first, then forget about, and then complain when its dismantled 30 years later.
We need more art pieces around the City. We need people talking about different topics, not just the Cardinals. Enlighten yourself!
And, to the people who keep complaining about the money… stop being hoosiers.
That thing is worth more in scrap metal. Why are they so intent in creating mini junk yards in the middle of neighborhoods?
If someone actually paid money for this sculpture (or the previous one), is the hook still in their mouth?
I don’t know a lot about art, but it is nice to see St. Louis (finally) trying to walk with the rest of the progressing cities in the country. It is okay if people hate the sculpture (that is the point of art, to make you think). If you want to complain about tax dollars or time, start complaining at the people in charge of the public school system or Ballpark village. Thanks, and I hope this mindset continues.