I was at Union Sq. with Bret and Mike today, and we were looking up at that huge sculpture on One Union Square South, trying to figure out what it means. Basically, we figured it was something about time, and cycles of time, shit like that. But I was figuring it was more elaborate than just that. Apparently, it’s not though. I found a semi-official seeming description of the piece, which is called Metronome. All they really say is “The entire work symbolizes the intangibility of time which is reflected in the relationship between various elements in the piece.” That’s fucking stupid. That’s not an explanation. Is that really all they thought of? What the hell does the smoking hole mean, and the rod, and the rock, and GW’s hand? None of that is explained. I actually emailed the architects who designed the building, just before I found this site. We’ll see what they say. apparently they weren’t involved in the sculpture though, I don’t think. There’s a media contact at the bottom of this page. Maybe I’ll email them too.
WAIT WAIT! I just found the “Artist’s Statement” about it, and BOY! Does it ever suck! What a bunch of over-intellectualized art-school rubbish:
- Metronome is an investigation into the nature of time. The work references the multiple measures of time that simultaneously inform and confound our consciousness of the moment within the continuum. This composite work intends to evoke contemplation on the dynamic flux of the city. The elements suggest the instant and infinity, astronomical sequence, geological epoch and ephemerality. Metronome is meant to be integral to the very history, architectural fabric, spirit and vitality of the city. Ultimately, the work is an ode to mortality and the impossibility of knowing time.
[Kristin Jones / Andrew Ginzel], October 1999
See man, that’s what art school does to you: tricks you into believing the lies that spew out of your mouth. It makes you into the intellectual/aesthetic equivalent of OJ Simpson. Where you just lie and lie and lie and avoid reality until the truth isn’t even the issue anymore.
Oh wait, I forgot to mention that this sculpture is butt-ass ugly!
- END -
ASSOCIATED CONTENT @TMBCHR (Auto-Generated)
