I'm fairly certain that this is not to be climbed on by kids.
thats the impression I got when I was at the zoo yesterday - but being in the open in such a kid friendly area- is it realistic (with out an ugly fence surrounding it) that kids aren't going to climb on it.....
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I thought there was supposed to be some sort of huge landscaping (planter) feature surrounding it? That how it appears in the rendering, and this in-progress installation photo seems to support that idea (the worker is in a "pit" area in front of the sculpture).
new-to-STL wrote:I thought there was supposed to be some sort of huge landscaping (planter) feature surrounding it? That how it appears in the rendering, and this in-progress installation photo seems to support that idea (the worker is in a "pit" area in front of the sculpture).
I guess I can see the "pit" that?s there in the current photo (which I saw as an area to anchor is or lay concrete foundations or something) - but in the rendering all I see is that the sculpture is on a pedestal ... by no means restricting kids from playing on it..... The pit could be really cool if filled with colorful plants and water features.... not only an entrance to the Zoo, but also a colorful entrance to Forest Park in general.
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It's a work of art, not a playground.tbspqr wrote:Is this ?sculpture? going to remain rust colored?
Is it going to be safe for kids to play on? Designed for it? Fenced off? Looks like a huge tetanus hazard. All the other sculptures are really geared for the kids- climb on and take pictures etc?
Yes. It's called parental supervision. Now some parents may have to grow a spine when it opens, and learn how to say the word "no".tbspqr wrote:thats the impression I got when I was at the zoo yesterday - but being in the open in such a kid friendly area- is it realistic (with out an ugly fence surrounding it) that kids aren't going to climb on it.....
Expat wrote: Where is it? Can you see it from 40?
I drove by a couple of days ago, and I could just barely see some small bits of it from the highway. Its pretty well blocked by trees. Maybe in Winter, after the leaves fall, it will be more visible
It's an amazing sculpture. Would've been neat if that was an entrance to the zoo.
Yes. It's called parental supervision. Now some parents may have to grow a spine when it opens, and learn how to say the word "no".[/quote]tbspqr wrote:thats the impression I got when I was at the zoo yesterday - but being in the open in such a kid friendly area- is it realistic (with out an ugly fence surrounding it) that kids aren't going to climb on it.....
If you have even been to a public place (Like the zoo) you know you CAN?T TRUST parents to keep kids off something this "inviting"... its a beautiful and wonderful notion that kids are all well behaved and listen to their parents - but realistically - not. Going to happen.... You call it ?art? or a ?sculpture? or what ever you want ? not everyone is as privy as you?. I think kids are going to climb on it ? and its going to suck for us all when they have to put in measures like a fence to prevent this.
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tbspqr wrote:thats the impression I got when I was at the zoo yesterday - but being in the open in such a kid friendly area- is it realistic (with out an ugly fence surrounding it) that kids aren't going to climb on it.....
Yes. It's called parental supervision. Now some parents may have to grow a spine when it opens, and learn how to say the word "no".
tbspqr wrote:
If you have even been to a public place (Like the zoo) you know you CAN?T TRUST parents to keep kids off something this "inviting"... its a beautiful and wonderful notion that kids are all well behaved and listen to their parents - but realistically - not. Going to happen.... You call it ?art? or a ?sculpture? or what ever you want ? not everyone is as privy as you?. I think kids are going to climb on it ? and its going to suck for us all when they have to put in measures like a fence to prevent this.
Kids will climb on it because their parents are afraid to say "no". Of course you "can't trust" parents to keep their kids off of it - that's my whole point. And if they have to put in a fence, blame the parents, not me.
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Kids will climb on it because their parents are afraid to say "no". Of course you "can't trust" parents to keep their kids off of it - that's my whole point. And if they have to put in a fence, blame the parents, not me.
I never blamed you or anyone else besides the parents... I agree completely with your premis- but just becuase we aren't to blame doesn't mean its not an issue that could be/should be talked about or at least thought about.... A kid breaking his/neck is the last thing I want - even if they have horrible parents...
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Which is why I suspect the sculpture will be surrounded by a fence, or in some other way inaccesable.
There was no fence shown on the rendering when the project passed through the Preservation Board. I'm betting no fence.
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publiceye wrote:There was no fence shown on the rendering when the project passed through the Preservation Board. I'm betting no fence.
Maybe not initially. But wait until the first little moron falls off and breaks his arm, while mom and dad stand silently and watch. Then there will be a fence.
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Frankly, I don't think this sculpture looks all that inviting to climb on. It looks sharp. And dangerous. Beautiful, but not like a fun place to play at all. I know kids don't always think things through before acting, but I don't believe they're going to think this is a playground piece. Especially if there are plants around it they would need to tromp over to get to the fun climbing parts.
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It's my impression that this is a pretty inaccessible location, unless a gate directly into the zoo is included. The corner is too far from either an entrance or parking to attract much pedestrian traffic.
To my knowledge this will not be a new entrance to the zoo (which I think this would make an awesome entrance). IMO, the sculpture would've been better used as the front of the main entrance instead of something people will see driving by.
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:publiceye wrote:There was no fence shown on the rendering when the project passed through the Preservation Board. I'm betting no fence.
Maybe not initially. But wait until the first little moron falls off and breaks his arm, while mom and dad stand silently and watch. Then there will be a fence.
I think "moron" is a bit harsh, but I agree completely. This was my only concern. Being proactive might be a good thing, because when this does happen - and it makes the front page of the Post - some political person is going to grab this and put a huge ugly fence around it - if it is thought about now - something tasteful can be in place so this is averted.
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St.Louis UAB alumni wrote:To my knowledge this will not be a new entrance to the zoo.
You are correct... this is from an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
However, it will not serve as an entry to the Zoo. Those who pass through will face a wall of bamboo and must turn around to exit.
It never will be an entry point, Bonner said. "Our master plan limits us to two entrances. We think of 'Animals Always' as much as an entry to Forest Park as to the Zoo."
The article also states that "there will be some pretty spectacular pieces coming to the Zoo in the next five years."
Here is the article:
Gateway to the Zoo
By David Bonetti
POST-DISPATCH VISUAL ARTS CRITIC
05/23/2006
If you've never seen anything like it before, that's because there has never been anything quite like it until now. We're talking about "Animals Always," the spectacular sculpture that opens this weekend at the Hampton Avenue entrance to Forest Park.
The 100-ton sculpture, 36 feet high and 130 feet long, is being hailed by the St. Louis Zoo as the largest public zoo sculpture in the world and the largest sculpture in St. Louis, not counting Eero Saarinen's Arch.
It is composed of more than 1,300 elements and features more than 60 life-size animals, most of them endangered species. It is made of COR-TEN steel, which rusts into a rich, velvety patina that is sure to harmonize with the park's palette of greens and browns.
>>> read more
new-to-STL wrote:Frankly, I don't think this sculpture looks all that inviting to climb on. It looks sharp. And dangerous.
This photo doesn't show it well, but all the edges look to have come in contact with a grinder and have been smoothed off so they are not sharp. It does, however, look inviting to climb on... there are a lot of tempting foot holds. The landscaping should help to deter people from climbing on it. They have also kept some peices on the ground for those who do feel the urge to touch and feel.
southcitygent wrote:It's my impression that this is a pretty inaccessible location, unless a gate directly into the zoo is included. The corner is too far from either an entrance or parking to attract much pedestrian traffic.
You cannot tell it from the photos I took, but there were several people walking around this area, viewing the sculpture. One couple from out-of-town thought this was an entrance before asking me how they get in.
Anyway, here are a few photos taken this morning...
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Awesome pics...I really like it alot...Great when its lit up at night and i'm getting on the highway at hampton
I love it. But, alas, I think this should have been an entrance or placed at one of the existing entrances. To me, It screams ENTRANCE.
At the very least, they could have put it NEAR one of the zoo entrances. As it is now, anyone visiting the zoo and parking in the south parking lot has to walk 1/4 mile to look at this thing up close, and there is very little parking near it. If you park in the north lot, you'd have the better part of a mile to walk.
They probably did this because the lady that donated the money wanted people to see it from the highway, but come on, there are places near the south zoo entrance that would have been just as visible, if not more so.
I am sure there will be many people new to the zoo that walk up to that sculpture thinking it is an entrance. Typical case of $$$ trumping common sense.
They probably did this because the lady that donated the money wanted people to see it from the highway, but come on, there are places near the south zoo entrance that would have been just as visible, if not more so.
I am sure there will be many people new to the zoo that walk up to that sculpture thinking it is an entrance. Typical case of $$$ trumping common sense.
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Marmar wrote:I love it. But, alas, I think this should have been an entrance or placed at one of the existing entrances. To me, It screams ENTRANCE.
Think of it as an entrance to Forest Park.
I'm just glad that the construction is completed on the intersection near the sculpture! FYI, it's a great addition, IMO! 
=D>
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As it is it sort of is an entrance to both the Zoo (you turn past it to go to the parkinglot) and for Forest Park itself, if you were to continue down hampton toeards the rest of the park...