Kinetic sculpture that references the Coosa River now on display in Downtown Gadsden
The latest bit of art added to downtown Gadsden’s landscape reflects the city’s most prominent natural landmark that sits literally a few yards away.
“River Whiskers,” a brushed aluminum kinetic sculpture by Harry McDaniel of Asheville, North Carolina, was installed on Tuesday in a lot at Broad and First streets, across the street from the present City Hall and adjacent to the “Welcome to Gadsden” mural.
It stands roughly 18 feet tall and is capped by fish-like forms that shift and turn with the wind.
“The fish represent the fish in the Coosa River,” said Mario Gallardo, art instructor at Gadsden State Community College and director of the Walnut Gallery. “The artist made it knowing the proximity to the river, and wanted to do something related to the river and fishing in Gadsden.”
It’s the latest offering by the Gadsden Public Arts Project, which for more than a decade has worked to improve the cultural landscape by placing artwork along Broad Street and elsewhere in the city.
"River Whiskers” originated with Downtown Gadsden Inc. Director Kay Moore, who during a visit to Colorado saw a kinetic sculpture (one that includes movement) at a wind farm.
“At that point, I fell in love with those things, thought they were the coolest things I’d ever seen,” Moore recalled. “So, this is really exciting to me.”
She had a little “seed money” for the project, courtesy of PNC Bank. She was on an advisory board for BBVA Bank, which was purchased by PNC. The new owner dismantled that board, but sent the members away with donations for their favorite charities.
Moore contacted Gallardo and Ray Wetzel, the director of the Gadsden Museum of Art. “Mario told me we could take that (money) and multiply it, and you could get a whole big thing,” she said.
Additional grant money was obtained from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Regions Bank and other local partners: District 5 City Council member Jason Wilson, Greater Gadsden Tourism, The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County, the Gadsden Museum of Art, the Hardin Center and the Walnut Gallery.
“Give all credit to these two guys (Gallardo and Wetzel),” Moore said. “I got the initial money; they did everything else.”
Applications were sought for a juried competition and were submitted from across the county, according to Gallardo. The field was narrowed down to three, those contenders visited Gadsden late last year to present their ideas and McDaniel got the nod over Julia Sinelnikova of New York and Craig Wedderspoon of Alabama.
Phillip Williams, owner of the lot at Broad and First, agreed to an easement for the statue to be located there and will display a statue that had previously been in the space, Kirk Sease’s “Feather,” on other property he owns at North Seventh Street and First Avenue.
Moore said it was an example of people “working together” to ensure original artwork is displayed in prominent places in Gadsden.
Next up, sometime next year according to Gallardo, is a sculpture at one of the most prominent of places, the Etowah County Courthouse on Forrest Avenue.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Art representing fish in Coosa River on display in downtown Gadsden
