(originally published 6/4/20) The artist Christo passed away last weekend. Many of us 50+ers will remember Christo’s connection to Kansas City – two weeks in October 1978, when the pathways in Loose Park were wrapped in gold. An improbably amazing event by an artist who was then only about 20 years into his 62 yearContinue reading “Christo: Wrapped Walkways 1978”
Category Archives: Art
“An Outdoor Museum” – Public Art in the Country Club District
(originally published in 2015 in The Country Club District of Kansas City, and on 7/11/19 in KCBackstories.) Growing up in Lawrence, the drive into Kansas City was a regular event. The first thing I understood about where Kansas City was – as in “are we there yet?” – was that I was there when IContinue reading ““An Outdoor Museum” – Public Art in the Country Club District”
Art in Search of a Home – Park 2: “Man in Despair” UPDATE
(originally published 4/4/2019) Last week’s piece, in case you missed it, recounted the short, sad saga of a sculpture entitled “Man in Despair,” and its search for a permanent home during the mid-1980s. When last we left it, the statue had found a home in front of the Parks Department’s building at 39th & Gilham.Continue reading “Art in Search of a Home – Park 2: “Man in Despair” UPDATE”
Art in Search of a Home – “Man in Despair”: Part 1
(originally published 3/28/19) In Kansas City, it’s hard to tell what will spark a controversy, particularly around a subject like art with its landmines at the crossroads of individual tastes, cultural message, and societal norms. We loved it in 1979 when Cristo wrapped the Loose Park sidewalks in golden lengths of nylon, but when theContinue reading “Art in Search of a Home – “Man in Despair”: Part 1”
KC Backstories 