Saturday, May 13, 2000

Pig Parade: The Piggest Show on Earth

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Wyoming sculptor calls on her clowns

By Owen Findsen
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        This is the 14th in the series spotlighting a pig from the Big Pig Gig Public Art Project, which begins Sunday in downtown Cincinnati, Covington and Newport.

       Artist: Ruth Levinson, 73, of Wyoming.

        Sponsor: Ruth Levinson.

        This pig's pen: TBA

Ruth Levinson's pig (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        What's the pig idea? A cluster of circus clowns is performing acrobatic tricks all over the pig's back.

        You were inspired by: I've been sculpting clowns lately. When I read about the Big Pig Gig, I said I've got to do this. I didn't have a sponsor, so I sponsored myself. I want the proceeds from the auction to go to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

        You want people to look at this pig and think: I want them to look at it and laugh, like I did every day when I was working on it, and like my neighbors did every day when they walked by my garage.

        Completing the project took: Since January. The ceramic clowns had to be fired and glazed.

        Swine over matter: Clay for the clowns with acrylic paint for the pig.

        Your high on the hog was: It was a challenge. I was sort of humbled when I saw the size of the pig. So I considered it a challenge.

        Pig peeve: None.

        Best pig tale: My grandson's bar mitzvah is at the Westin Hotel this weekend, and all of my family is in town for it, so the pig was kept at the Westin so everybody could see it.

        My favorite pork dish: I'm Jewish.

        What do you call this pig: The porker.

        Do you consider this art or porkography? I consider it art.

Complete details on the Big Pig Gig at bigpiggig.com

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