Tom Otterness

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tom Otterness sculpture in Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City, New York.

Tom Otterness (b. 1952 in Wichita, Kansas) is an American sculptor whose works adorn parks in New York---most notably in Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City^[1] and in the 14th Street/8th Avenue subway station---and other cities around the world. His style is very cartoonish and cheerful, and the forms of his sculptures often consist of many blobs and pipes, giving them a humorous look. These sculptures depict, among other things, huge pennies, pudgy characters in business suits with moneybag heads, helmeted workers holding giant tools, and crocodiles crawling out from under sewer covers. The main theme of his work seems to be the struggle of the little man against the Capitalist machine in a difficult and strange city.

As primarily a public artist, Otterness' has shown popular exhibitions in locations across the United States, including New York City, Indianapolis, and Beverly Hills. His studio is located in the Gowanus neighborhood in Brooklyn.

His most recent exhibition of public sculpture in Grand Rapids, Michigan is his largest to date, featuring more than 40 works across two miles of the city's downtown area and at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Otterness is best known to New Yorkers for his "Life Underground" series of sculptures, which are primarily located in the 14th Street–Eighth Avenue New York City Subway station.^[2]

Journalist Gary Indiana criticized Otterness for an independent work done in 1977 called "Shot Dog Film" a looped video piece, in which Otterness "adopted a dog and then shot it to death for the fun of recording his infantile, sadistic depravity on film."^[3]

In spring 2007, a student running for the student government president at Wichita State University questioned the use of $150,000 in student funds to pay part of the commission for a new campus sculpture by the Wichita-native artist. ^[4] Although some bloggers have objected, the piece is still scheduled for 2008 installation. (Need a 2008 verification of this)

In April 2008, Otterness issued an apology for "Shot Dog Film" saying, "Thirty years ago when I was 25 years old, I made a film in which I shot a dog. It was an indefensible act that I am deeply sorry for. Many of us have experienced profound emotional turmoil and despair. Few have made the mistake I made. I hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me." ^[5]

A Brooklyn Daily Eagle article stated: "While it remains to be seen if this will mollify Otterness’ critics, it does appear to be the apology many are asking for." ^[6] All do not agree. Many public opinions via blogs question the validity of the apology and it is still to be seen if large commissions will still go through after this was made widely known recently by bloggers such as Logan Square in Philadelphia PA which is under fire directly due to the controversial film piece.^[7]