Saturday, September 23, 2000

Pig Parade: Hog Wash

---

This pig is a fine mess

By Owen Findsen
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        This is 147th in a series spotlighting pigs from the Big Pig Gig Public Art Project taking place in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport. Find past pig profiles at cincinnati.com.

        This is a pig that's scrubbing its way out of a mud puddle.

| ZOOM |

        Artist: Jil Dehner, 22, Westwood, a senior in fine arts at the University of Cincinnati.

        Sponsor: Steve Fischer

        This pig's pen: Fountain Square.

        You were inspired by: The words “hog wash.”

        What's the pig idea? The pig is covered in mud and is getting a bath. It's wearing a fiberglass shower cap. It has a scrub brush on its back and soap bubbles all around. The words “Wash Me” are written on its back.

        You want people to look at this pig and think: This pig really needs a bath.

        Completing the project took: Five weeks.

        What's the matter? The bubbles are marbles and Styrofoam balls. The rest is the usual fiberglass, Bondo, primer, acrylic paint. My boyfriend, Scott Uhler, knows how to make molds and helped a lot.

        Pig peeve: The pig was supposed to be on Court Street, but when it was there, the brush handle was broken off twice. They moved it to Fountain Square and so far the handle has stayed in place.

        Best pig tale: I actually did have to wash the pig a lot when we were making it in my grandma's basement. It kept getting covered with fiberglass dust. The pigs get pretty dirty downtown, too, but I haven't gone down to wash it on Fountain Square yet.

        My favorite pork dish: I don't eat pork. My favorite satellite dish is the one that brings in the Cartoon Network.

        What artistic movement most affected the outcome of this pig? Cartooning.

        What do you call this pig: Messie Jessie

        The materials cost: $500

        Do you consider this art or porkography? My teachers say all my art looks like cartooning, so I guess this is art.

        If your pig starred in a movie, who would you cast to play the role? My sister Esther Dehner is an actress, so I'd give her the role.

       

---

Tornado recovery operations under way
'It seemed like God was in control'
It's deja vu for Guardsman/helper
Former councilman admits to voter fraud
RAMSEY: Shootings
Abortion restriction blocked
Schools chief gets positive review
Ceremony welcomes 90 new American citizens
DNA leads to suspect in rape from 1993
HOWARD: West End touchstone 150 years
MCNUTT: Yesteryear Book takes look back at Butler
Prison worker pleads guilty to illicit affair
School plans 10th birthday party
Trial to proceed in fatal shooting
Concert review
Dance review
Consignment buying comes of age
:Discovery Channel star debuts decorating book
:Kitchens and baths sparkle at show
Bond Hill man charged in rapes, kidnappings
Campbell aims to conserve
Clintons' overnight guests
Court of Appeals rejects Kentucky's Megan's Law
Gardens Center more than shelter
Insurance method deemed 'unfriendly'
Man gets 30 years for shaking baby
Opinion sought on sale of guns
Ted Celeste falling further behind
Get to it
Kentucky News Briefs
Pig Parade: Hog Wash
Tristate A.M. Report