This summer”™s Stamford “Art in Public Places” initiative positioned 53 sculptures throughout downtown and businesses are finding foot traffic has been animated by the inanimate in their midst.
“The purpose for the art exhibit is always to create that wonderful sense of place in Stamford”™s downtown,” said Sandy Goldstein, president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District. “Few things do that as well as art and outdoor art; it doesn”™t cost you anything and you can enjoy it at your leisure.”
The sculptures, part of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District”™s outdoor summer sculpture exhibit, are part of famed metal works artist J. Seward Johnson”™s trompe l’oeil, or trick of the eye, painted bronze sculpture collection.
The reclusive artist, best known for his massive work “The Awakening” sculpture in Hains Point, Washington D.C., could not be reached for a comment.
According to Goldstein, every year Stamford hosts a distinguished outdoor sculpture exhibit designed to attract both local and regional audiences.
Goldstein explains that 10 years ago, Johnson had a few pieces featured in the summer art event.
“We said if we can ever get a one-man show it would be Seward”™s,” said Goldstein.
The varieties of sculptures are taken from three sections of Johnson”™s catalogue, including “Celebrating the Familiar,” “Icons Revisited” and “Beyond the Frame.”
The majority of the characters are life-sized, save Johnson”™s 25-foot-tall, “Turn of the Century” at the corner of Bedford and Forest Street, a take on August Renoir”™s famous “Dance at Bougival.”
“We”™ve got all of his greats, people come downtown just to see the sculptures,” said Goldstein of Johnson”™s work. “Once people are downtown with their kids, they are going to shop and eat. That”™s our goal.”
The Stamford city traffic division used a crane, two fork-lifts and a loader truck to install the pieces.
According to Josh Vartuli, manager at Lucky”™s Classic Burger and Malt Shop, the increased pedestrian traffic is evident.
“I”™ve seen people walking around with maps checking the statues off as they go,” said Vartuli. “I”™d say it”™s definitely increased the foot traffic downtown.”
The Downtown Special Services District estimates that the sculptures will bring a few thousand pedestrians through the area.
Luciano Magiulo, owner of Mona Lisa Ristorante, has one of the statues right outside his doors, a pair of life-sized house painters at work titled, “So the Bishop Says to the Actress.”
“It”™s a great thing and brings people to the area,” said Magiulo. “People see that we are here and what this area of Stamford has to offer.”
“There”™s always someone out front taking pictures,” said Pete Mazza, manager of the Avon Theatre. “It definitely seems to be a draw. I think its helping people walk into our doors. I love the art work. It”™s a good program and it”™s good to see that art can still get out there. It”™s great to see something so productive, constructive and creative.”
A statue of screen sex-bomb Marilyn Monroe inspired a contest in front of the Avon Theatre featuring 15 look-a-likes and an airing of the comedy for which she is perhaps best known, “Some Like It Hot.”
