During the filming of "Public Enemies" in Oshkosh, the (in)famous Oshkosh sundial was taken out of commission. That led to a round of (mostly) informal conversations about the possibility of removing the structure permanently. The sundial has its supporters, but since it was first constructed it has always seemed as if the majority of people either don't care or actively dislike it.So if we did remove the sundial, what would we put in its place? Any ideas? Yesterday I happened to be in Neenah and got a look at their entrance to downtown. Would something like the above look good in downtown Oshkosh? Something with "Welcome to Historic Downtown Oshkosh." Something with actual water flowing (just as with the sundial).
If I had to predict I'd say we will probably stay with the sundial for a good long while, but if people really do want to see a change I guess the time to speak up is now, as the excitement of "Public Enemies" has given us the chance to talk seriously about the look of our city and we will be reconstructing Main St. in the next few years.
If I had to predict I'd say we will probably stay with the sundial for a good long while, but if people really do want to see a change I guess the time to speak up is now, as the excitement of "Public Enemies" has given us the chance to talk seriously about the look of our city and we will be reconstructing Main St. in the next few years.
6 comments:
Hello Tony,
I was fortunate enough to go to Florence (Italy) in 2000, and amongst the great buildings was a bare yard. It had no benches, signs, and it was not even well groomed, but it had people sitting, standing, enjoying. At most it had limestones or bricks marking its perimeter. Since nature (and humans) hate vacuums, it is improbable that a city would allow an open yard for very long, but it sure would be refreshing.
I would like to see the spaced used for rotating experimental art installations.
Remember that guy who locked himself in a room with a webcam and an internet controlled paintball gun? Something like that.
I personally like the sundial.
One thing that could be done in compromise would be to re-plated or replace the metal spike in bronze or copper, allowing it to age naturally to compliment the older buildings surrounding it.
I would focus the cities energy and dollars on things that will have a greater impact on downtown and redevelopment. We can revisit the sundial question when those other things are rolling along.
CJ,
Yeah, I guess. It is fun, I must admit, taking UW Oshkosh job candidates on tours of downtown. I wish I had a dime for each time they say, when we drive past the sundial, "What the ____________ is that?" Good conversation starter. --TP
I think if we are going to put a phallic symbol downtown it should be a kinder gentler phallus. The stainless steal one we currently have tends to disturb the space it occupies painfully, kinda hurts to look at it!
I vote for a reproduction of (Oshkosh's own)Hellen Mears Foutain of Joy with the rabbits at the base - there are no works of hers that I am aware of outdoors anywhere in the city of Oshkosh. She was quite famous outside of Oshkosh (New York, Washington D.C., Paris) and does at least have something in the state Capitol. Why not in her hometown?
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