Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => Urban Neighborhoods => Riverside/Avondale => Topic started by: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 03:33:33 PM

Title: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 03:33:33 PM
This has just appeared on the corners of Park, Margaret and Lomax at the 5 Points just in from of Derby on Park.

Evidently it was put in place by the 5 Points Merchants Association.

(http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd256/dellwooddaisy/5pointssculpture.jpg)

This is the plaque on the base:

(http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd256/dellwooddaisy/label.jpg)



Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on February 27, 2012, 03:57:17 PM
Is that it? I'm all for 'art' or things to enhance the five points experience. For some reason, that piece of iron just doesn't look finished....is something supposed to go on the top? Is it right-side-up?
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on February 27, 2012, 03:58:35 PM
Also, anyone know what's up with Tapa That? Or tapa this? don't know the name, next to lomax lounge. I see they have tables set up inside.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:03:38 PM
It's going to be a Tapas style restaurant.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: RiversideLoki on February 27, 2012, 04:04:40 PM
It looks like something someone picked up at Ramona flea market. Wtf? I like a lot of Robert's work. But that isn't the best.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:06:25 PM
I kind of like but compared to San Marco's lions it makes 5 Points look even more second fiddle.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 04:06:32 PM
And what is the connection between geese and 19th Century American foreign policy?  There must be symbolism in there that I am not seeing.  No criticism of the artist for that, I'm just a very literal person.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 04:08:29 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:06:25 PM
I kind of like but compared to San Marco's lions it makes 5 Points look even more second fiddle.

It was free and didn't cost $150,000 like the lions.  Artist is the husband of one of the 5 Points merchants, I was told.

Apologies for the quality of the images.  All I had was my old cell phone.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Captain Zissou on February 27, 2012, 04:12:17 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:03:38 PM
It's going to be a Tapas style restaurant.

You think???
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:12:45 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 04:08:29 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:06:25 PM
I kind of like but compared to San Marco's lions it makes 5 Points look even more second fiddle.

It was free and didn't cost $150,000 like the lions.  Artist is the husband of one of the 5 Points merchants, I was told.

Apologies for the quality of the images.  All I had was my old cell phone.

Your pictures were fine, no worries.

I'm not one to criticize art...the more the merrier. And, I don't think it's fair to compare to the San Marco lions. BUT, not only do I not 'get' this piece, but it doesn't really look like it fits...kind of look like a lamppost missing it's lamp. Looks like it's missing something on the top maybe?
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:13:21 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 27, 2012, 04:12:17 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:03:38 PM
It's going to be a Tapas style restaurant.

You think???

lol yeah...I meant more "does anyone have any more details"
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:17:31 PM
dougskiles on another thread:

The artwork just finished up a show in South Florida and needed a temporary home.  Robert and his wife are part of the 5 Points Merchant Association and are trying to bring more public art to the area.  He said it is temporary, but that we should expect to see more in the future.  I really hope that their efforts are supported by RAP and COJ.  We desparately need more of this kind of expression and commitment to public art in Jacksonville.

Read more about Robert here: http://www.theittybittysmithy.com/
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 04:19:17 PM
Quote from: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:13:21 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 27, 2012, 04:12:17 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:03:38 PM
It's going to be a Tapas style restaurant.

You think???

lol yeah...I meant more "does anyone have any more details"

I just hope they have a proper selection of Sherry as any proper tapas restaurant in Spain would have.  I've always wondered why 13 Gypsies doesn't.  Maybe Americans just don't know enough about sherries for there to be a market.

Dry sherries are wonderful accompaniment to the strong flavors and spices of the small plates of tapas, medium sherries are fantastic with deserts and the sweet sherries are great just by themselves.  All sherries ain't Harvey's Bristol Cream
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:20:05 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 04:19:17 PM
Quote from: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:13:21 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 27, 2012, 04:12:17 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:03:38 PM
It's going to be a Tapas style restaurant.

You think???

lol yeah...I meant more "does anyone have any more details"

I just hope they have a proper selection of Sherry as any proper tapas restaurant in Spain would have.  I've always wondered why 13 Gypsies doesn't.  Maybe Americans just don't know enough about sherries for there to be a market.

Dry sherries are wonderful accompaniment to the strong flavors and spices of the small plates of tapas, medium sherries are fantastic with deserts and the sweet sherries are great just by themselves.  All sherries ain't Harvey's Bristol Cream

+1.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Kaiser Soze on February 27, 2012, 04:20:45 PM
If they are going to be displaying random art, I wish it was something with a nice set of tittays.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 04:21:06 PM
Quote from: ben says on February 27, 2012, 04:17:31 PM
dougskiles on another thread:

The artwork just finished up a show in South Florida and needed a temporary home.  Robert and his wife are part of the 5 Points Merchant Association and are trying to bring more public art to the area.  He said it is temporary, but that we should expect to see more in the future.  I really hope that their efforts are supported by RAP and COJ.  We desparately need more of this kind of expression and commitment to public art in Jacksonville.

Read more about Robert here: http://www.theittybittysmithy.com/

We have an amazing array of fantastic artists here in Jacksonville that always have to have their shows in other cities.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Jumpinjack on February 27, 2012, 04:36:55 PM
I'm probably not as good an art critic as some on this thread but I kinda like it. Adds something to that Five Points quirkiness plus it's a local artist. Thumbs up.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ghalti on February 27, 2012, 05:24:30 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:06:25 PM
I kind of like but compared to San Marco's lions it makes 5 Points look even more second fiddle.
I wouldn't want anything like majestic lions in 5 Points.  It isn't San Marco and I don't think residents want it to be San Marco.
Keep the art a little different, a little raw. Just like the area.  We will make it our own.

I like the piece, but even if I didn't I would keep in mind that public art is desperately needed in Jacksonville.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 05:28:39 PM
Quote from: ghalti on February 27, 2012, 05:24:30 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on February 27, 2012, 04:06:25 PM
I kind of like but compared to San Marco's lions it makes 5 Points look even more second fiddle.
I wouldn't want anything like majestic lions in 5 Points.  It isn't San Marco and I don't think residents want it to be San Marco.
Keep the art a little different, a little raw. Just like the area.  We will make it our own.

I like the piece, but even if I didn't I would keep in mind that public art is desperately needed in Jacksonville.
I agree
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Jimmy on February 27, 2012, 06:33:08 PM
I'm not art critic, but I wondered if it was a bike rack when I glimpsed it from my car. ;)
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: RiversideLoki on February 27, 2012, 07:09:01 PM
Having been in the art scene in days gone by, I've seen tons of metal work and sculptors.

I really loved what Robert did with the rust. His art at RAM has always been my favorite. His copper work is second to none.. He's done some mindblowing stuff... He, McDermott, Larry Wilson, and Katie Bell all blow my mind on a routine basis. But I really just can't jive with this piece.

"Everyone's a critic", "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", etc. I suppose.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: dougskiles on February 27, 2012, 08:14:59 PM
This piece has accomplished, what in my opinion is most important about public art.  Got us talking, wondering, thinking... 

My favorite art always leaves a little something for us to imagine.  It is one thing to appreciate beauty, it is another to awaken a sense from within - whether it be in admiration or disdain, doesn't matter.

Great job, Robert.

Who's next?
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Kay on February 27, 2012, 09:24:12 PM
That space was crying out for something.  I like it.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: mtraininjax on February 27, 2012, 10:11:53 PM
That thing needs some lights on it. If its dark someone will run into it, then the city has a nice lawsuit. At least the lions in San Marco are well lit and protected. Did the city sign off on it? If not, I am sure Code Enforcement will have fun ticketing it.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Charles Hunter on February 27, 2012, 10:13:48 PM
How long before an "urban artist*" improves it with some spray paint.


* see, I didn't say "graffiti vandal"  ;)
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Brian Siebenschuh on February 28, 2012, 12:46:51 AM
QuoteI just hope they have a proper selection of Sherry as any proper tapas restaurant in Spain would have.  I've always wondered why 13 Gypsies doesn't.  Maybe Americans just don't know enough about sherries for there to be a market.

Dry sherries are wonderful accompaniment to the strong flavors and spices of the small plates of tapas, medium sherries are fantastic with deserts and the sweet sherries are great just by themselves.  All sherries ain't Harvey's Bristol Cream

I agree with you 100%, but sherry is a tough sell in this market.  We offer an amontillado and an Alameda cream at Orsay as a complement to the port / dessert wine selections, but they sell slowly, and open bottles don't last forever - especially fino / manzanilla.

That being said, if you're into dry sherry, we've always had a reasonably strong Madeira program, and just last week we brought in a couple old vintage bottles that we're offering by the glass - a 1950 Bual and a 1920 (!) Malvasia, both bottled in 2009.  Yeah, they're really crazy expensive (even with an extremely low markup) but they're unlike anything you've tasted.  Well, unless you've had really old Madeira before :-)

And the really cool thing about Madeira is that it's completely oxidized before it goes in the bottle, so - unlike Port or sherry, it doesn't really change once the bottle is open.  Chances are, if you order an expensive 30 or 40 year tawny at a restaurant, the bottle has been open for several months, and tawnies start to change noticeably after a week or two of being opened.  Madeira can sit open for, well, years and it won't fade.

#threadjack over#
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Dog Walker on February 28, 2012, 08:31:50 AM
Thanks for the info, Brian.  I've had an old Madeira once or twice a long time ago and they are indeed unique and unforgettable.....and rare and expensive.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: avs on February 28, 2012, 09:21:17 AM
I like it.  Kind of reminescent of a weather vane on top of a house.  With the title, "Manifest Destiny," makes me think about what direction our country is in, or some see as lack of direction.  Good piece, brings up issues and gets dialogue going...
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ChriswUfGator on February 28, 2012, 09:39:34 AM
I like it, it's visually pleasing, isn't that the point?

I do agree that being black, someone it going to walk or ride into it at night. They should make a cement base for it.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: The Compound on February 28, 2012, 09:45:05 AM
I hope I remember its there when I do my Saturday morning parkour and do my running flip off the Derby House roof.   :-\
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Captain Zissou on February 28, 2012, 09:48:40 AM
I agree that it seems like only half of a piece.  I thought it was going to be some amazing signage with banners on the top.  I agree that it is going to cause problems at night.  A concrete or stone pedestal with some up-lighting would be awesome.  I do agree that public art is needed in Jax, so I'm not going to complain.

Does anybody remember the awesome pterodactyl/warrior in avondale???  Weren't they supposed to have some sort of 'welcome monuments' on either end of the avondale strip like in San Marco??  Where are those??
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ChriswUfGator on February 28, 2012, 09:56:32 AM
They built the base for it and then never put the thing up. I don't think anyone knows WTF is up with it, it's been a year.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: peestandingup on February 29, 2012, 08:52:34 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on February 27, 2012, 04:06:32 PM
And what is the connection between geese and 19th Century American foreign policy?  There must be symbolism in there that I am not seeing.  No criticism of the artist for that, I'm just a very literal person.

What's not to get? Geese poop a lot, and we ended up pooping all over native americans (then the slaves) to fulfill our "manifest destiny".

That's what I'm going with anyway.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: TheProfessor on February 29, 2012, 10:51:40 PM
It looks like an x-mas tree topper.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Jumpinjack on March 01, 2012, 08:31:16 AM
If the merchants want to feature other art in the future, it might be well not to have a base. Re. the lighting, a simple LED dusk-to-dawn outdoor light could illuminate it at night.  Great beginning for Five Points artists.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: I-10east on March 01, 2012, 08:38:24 AM
Quote from: RiversideLoki on February 27, 2012, 04:04:40 PM
It looks like something someone picked up at Ramona flea market. Wtf?

LMAO!
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on March 01, 2012, 08:45:20 AM
I walked straight into the thing last night, and I knew it was there! I saw the damn thing go up the other day. Either I'm stupid (possible) or it's really that hard to see at night (more possible).
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: I-10east on March 01, 2012, 09:07:53 AM
Anyone that's familiar with the Normandy/Lenox/Lake Shore intersection area; There's a house in the Westside on Astral St between Lake Shore Blvd, and Vincent St that has an identical 'anchor-like thingy' right in the front yard; It stands out like a sore thumb.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: I-10east on March 01, 2012, 02:25:28 PM
^^^Okay, I live not to far away, and I just checked and the thing on Astral St is gone, so it is the thing that they moved to 5 Points. It still can be seen at it's former location (Astral St) on Google street view.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Non-RedNeck Westsider on March 01, 2012, 02:34:09 PM
5341 Astral St.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Astral+Street,+Jacksonville,+FL&hl=en&ll=30.3083,-81.738281&spn=0.000037,0.019205&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.887315,78.662109&oq=astral+st,+jacksonville&hnear=Astral+St,+Jacksonville,+Duval,+Florida+32205&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=30.3083,-81.738163&panoid=Z374_yyhvow5mlGZ5LY8BA&cbp=12,169.54,,0,9.25
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on March 01, 2012, 03:05:08 PM
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on March 01, 2012, 02:34:09 PM
5341 Astral St.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Astral+Street,+Jacksonville,+FL&hl=en&ll=30.3083,-81.738281&spn=0.000037,0.019205&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.887315,78.662109&oq=astral+st,+jacksonville&hnear=Astral+St,+Jacksonville,+Duval,+Florida+32205&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=30.3083,-81.738163&panoid=Z374_yyhvow5mlGZ5LY8BA&cbp=12,169.54,,0,9.25

Good catch.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: MissMinda on March 01, 2012, 07:31:16 PM
I saw someone curled up sleeping in the top part the other evening on my way home from the Sun-Ray Cinema.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: ben says on March 01, 2012, 07:42:42 PM
Quote from: MissMinda on March 01, 2012, 07:31:16 PM
I saw someone curled up sleeping in the top part the other evening on my way home from the Sun-Ray Cinema.

::)
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: Kaiser Soze on March 02, 2012, 08:40:53 AM
Quote from: MissMinda on March 01, 2012, 07:31:16 PM
I saw someone curled up sleeping in the top part the other evening on my way home from the Sun-Ray Cinema.
Yeah, sorry about that.  Hit a wall.  had to take a nap.
Title: Re: New Feature in 5 Points
Post by: MissMinda on March 02, 2012, 12:52:46 PM
Quote from: Kaiser Soze on March 02, 2012, 08:40:53 AM
Quote from: MissMinda on March 01, 2012, 07:31:16 PM
I saw someone curled up sleeping in the top part the other evening on my way home from the Sun-Ray Cinema.
Yeah, sorry about that.  Hit a wall.  had to take a nap.

Didn't look too comfy.