Sunday, November 21, 1999
Art community abuzz about Big Pig Gig
BY OWEN FINDSEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
In the early 19th century, pigs roamed the streets of Cincinnati. Next spring they'll be back. A sizable public art project, it's called the Big Pig Gig.
Huge, painted porkers, 250 of them, will be standing, sitting, leaping — even flying — on street corners, in building lobbies, in public places everywhere.
It's Porkopolis Now!
It may sound preposterous, commissioning artists to paint pigs, but consider what Chicago did with cows last summer. The Windy City's Department of Cultural Affairs commissioned 320 cows, sponsored by local businesses and individuals. More than a million tourists came to see the cows, making an economic impact on the city of $200 million. Last week, 65 cows from the Windy City's Cows on Parade project sold at auction for $2 million.
“I was there!” says Tamara Harkavy, director of Artworks, the local employment and training program for teens and promoter of the Big Pig Gig. “It was unbelievable. Bidding would start at $500 and jump to $15,000 on the next bid. It was a real cattle auction.”
Cows sold for as much as $100,000. One bidder bought three cows for $190,000. An additional, online auction brought in $1.4 million for 75 painted cows. In all, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs raised $3.4 million for the arts through the sale of painted cows.
“I don't dream that Cincinnati could do as well,” Ms. Harkavy says, “but if our pigs go to auction, it will really benefit the arts. We grant money to many different organizations and this would give us an endowment that would help a lot.”
The Big Pig Gig is already off and running. Sculptors are creating three large styles of fiberglass pigs, one standing, one sitting and one rearing back like a mustang.
The pigs will be cloned until there are 250 of them to be distributed to artists. Wings are being made and may be used or not, according to the artists' designs.
A “Call to Artists” registration form is being distributed to solicit artists to create designs. Companies and individuals are being contacted to buy an artist's pig at prices ranging from $2,800 to $10,000. The pigs will be unpenned during the Flying Pig Marathon on May 14.
“I want to do a pig so bad I can taste the bacon sizzling,” says Jim Farr, known as “Daubber” for his automobile pin striping skills. “I would do something really radical. I'd do an outrageous dragster and flame the thing. I'd put it on wheels, a real road hog.”
Sculptor Patricia Renick says she won't submit a design but would “love to do one” and hopes someone will commission her skills. “I want it to be a complete surprise.”
“Everybody's talking about doing a pig,” says Bill Seitz, gallery director at the Carnegie in Covington. “I already have a sponsor, and the children in our ArtStop after-school program are doing one for the Ashland Oil Company.”
Most companies and individuals will select their artists from a “Porkfolio” of designs artists submit. Those artists chosen will receive $1,000, but sponsors have the option of commissioning artists outside the Porkfolio and paying them more.
Rumors are flying about celebrity artists in Cincinnati and in New York who are getting commissions.
“The reason artists are excited about it is that they are paid for the work,” Mr. Seitz says.
“And at the same time, this will get more recognition for the artists than they could hope to get through exhibitions. It's a win-win situation,” he says.
How to submit a pig design
Mike Brown not the villain in this farce
UC forges friendship with Cuba
City income tax challenged
DNA indicates female assailant in murder case
Lump of coal for the court
Art community abuzz about Big Pig Gig
Little city makes big impression
Where willl the doctors go?
Airline profiles called biased
Chabot's grip on voters stronger than politics
Jail debate rages at meeting
Pay boosts for teachers, school boards proposed
Warrant Amnesty Day draws 15 people
Partial list of Kenton Co. warrants
Emeril is Elvis of food
GET TO IT
Last of 'Sarah' trilogy great TV literature
Right to a new life
Weight loss pointed out shallowness
Childhood should not be a college prep course
Locals catch raves in mags
Arts advocates need to learn art of politics
Board doing homework on levy request
Child safety seats essential
Employee fights compulsory dues
Fish story ends happily for psychologist
Mission's founder brings new vision to health care
More called to fight fire after arsonist hits
New era to arrive in Senate
Poll: Ohioans support death penalty
School not liable in rape of retarded student
Taft sees court role in school funding
TRISTATE DIGEST
Wife killed, husband hurt in crash
