Classical sculpture has often been used to embellish the grand bridges, parks and plazas of great metropolitan cities in America and abroad. It is a bit out of the ordinary, however, in mid-sized Southern cities. The unveiling Thursday of two beautiful classical sculptures at the south end of the refurbished Market Street Bridge may change that. These lovely bronze works -- and two more to be created for the north end of the bridge -- will not only enhance appreciation of the visual arts in Chattanooga. They will surely provide inspiration, as well, for other aspiring cities to follow suit.
The sculptures, akin to the tasteful nude figures of ancient Greek and Roman eras, are the work of Chattanooga artist Daud Akhriev, who studied classical painting and drawing for 14 years in his native Russia, mainly in St. Petersburg, before immigrating to Chattanooga in 1991.
He has previously put his training in monumental public art to good work here in other venues. Four of his murals in Chattanooga adorn St. Peter's Episcopal Church, the Collegedale Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Samaritan Center. His bronzes at the entrance to the Market Street Bridge would fit easily among ancient classical masterpieces.
The Four Seasons comprises a set of four sculptures of a female figure, representing the woman in four seasons of life. The first two -- and the two to follow -- are nine feet tall and sit on five-foot granite bases. Facing outward to drivers as they enter the bridge, they are certain to animate interest in the arts and enhance appreciation of works of beauty and grace.
They should serve Mr. Akhriev's interest in providing meeting points, objects for discussion and enhanced quality of life. Certainly they will contribute, as one observer aptly noted at the unveiling, a worthy patina to the character of downtown, raising the city's artistic ambience to a new level.
Chattanooga, to be sure, has already gained a national reputation as a rising center for public art. As a column by Tennessee Arts Commission director Rich Boyd noted on this page Monday, Chattanooga has been recognized by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies as a premier example of cities transformed by appreciation of the arts.
The waterfront's Passage, lighted pier and the central greenspace opposite it all feature public art. Other public art -- along Main Street, at Miller Plaza, the Chattanooga Zoo and the Riverfront Parkway, among other places -- has inspired creation of art committees in most of the City Council districts to develop proposals for public art in their communities.
Support for public art in Chattanooga has involved a partnership of individual donors, gifts from the Benwood and Lyndhurst foundations, and financial aid and stewardship by city government. It gained significant momentum with development of the riverfront under Mayor Bob Corker, who encouraged Mr. Akhriev's vision for the Four Seasons for the rebuilt Market Street Bridge. And it has benefited from continued support since then by Mayor Ron Littlefield and the City Council.
The City Council and Mayor Littlefield's office are presently debating how much the city can continue to invest in public art in a period of tight budgets and stretched resources. Judging by the excellence of the first two of the Four Seasons, and the array of interesting works that already enhance the city, the public art initiative merits continued strong support.
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As an "artsie", I would never argue about the importance of art and music in a well-rounded curriculum in our schools or the beauty of art in public places. But "continued strong support" (read supported by tax dollars) in a "Recession" (for some a Depression)?
Were these works voted on by the citizens of Chattanooga as something the city really needed, or was this solely decided by the wealthy donors and city fathers? If decided by politicians and donors, it is another example of why our country is in decline. Our hard-earned tax dollars continue to go to pork projects in almost every city and state and are wildly spent by politicians who don't work for what they take from us. What happened to all the Dems cries of 'compassion' for the healthcare and housing bankrupt victims?
As a student of History, I'm reminded of that great city, Babylon. THE wonder of the world in its time. Citizens came from all over the known world to gaze in awe at its wonderful works of art and admire the "Culture" and "social status" of the city. Every luxury and perversion imaginable was practiced there and no one thought the beautiful city would ever disappear. It would last forever. Alas, that city is now dust in the desert, a place for vultures and owls to visit.
A place and a society that once held human sacrifices as entertainment reminds me of similiar human sacrifices we make today, to worship at the altars of Culture and Social "Justice".
This series was funded by private donations.
Why is it that public art must always be of Pagan nudity? I wonder if this community would object to a figure of a male statue with his private parts sticking out???
I will be surprised that no other Pastor, or church objects to these Pornagraphic works of pagan art. In a sense, it doesn't surprise me. When you see a strong presence of Freemasonry, you see this kind of demon-stration. These two statues will be a total of four statues in the chattanooga area, that to me are filthy. In my opinion, if you want perverted material, then put it in your home, or your front yard. These objects are most definitely not family oriented, and are an offense to us.
Pastor Mike Palevo
New Life Tabernacle of Chatt.
3430 Brainerd rd.
423-653-1614
Well, Pastor, I consider "David" to be a work of art by a true master and certainly worthy of public display -- even without the later-added fig leaf. Obviously, you find it offensive.
Some simply do not/cannot appreciate the beauty and the poetry inherent in the female form without seeing obscenity and sexual congress. There is a flow, a majesty, and a fully visible example of God's purest and most Divine work in that form. Nothing in this world can compare to it.
The Freemasons?? Come on!
Normally, I agree with many of your comments Rolando, but not this time. Regardless of our opinions, public art is just that. Public. The works commissioned should therefore be brought before the public and voted on. Otherwise, place it in a gallery or on someones private property. Art is highly subjective. What one believes is beautiful, another believes is the height of ugliness, profanity.
This action shows no respect for the feelings of their fellow citizens. It also points to an interesting phenomenom in this country in the last 4 decades. The pagan-atheistic believers are trumping the Faith in God (YHWH) believers. With the 'largesse' of the ACLU backing them is it any wonder most of us have no say on many issues anymore? We also have to thank the silently complicit ones for this state of affairs. Bottom line-boycott that area of Downtown/North Shore and don't spend your money there.
Regardless of private donations, in this country we, the taxpayers support too many grants and programs (See NEA, National Endowment of the Arts) that are luxuries. In this economy and on those bridge entrances, the 4 "Seasons" or the 4 Witches, depending on how one sees it, are merely a very expensive bauble of the rich and famous-to themselves.