We just can’t get enough of the historic spirit poles (which should be recreated by the way).
You might have heard, back in the 90s, the National Enquirer labeled the spirit poles as the ugliest publicly funded sculpture in America. If you never saw the article, now you can, thanks to our friend Joy Rosenberg (click on the image above for a larger view).
The 91 poles, which are legendary in Concord, cost tax-payers about $400,000. The poles were constructed and set in concrete in the middle of Concord Ave., between Salvio and Market.
Thanks to Joy Rosenberg for sharing this piece of history with us.
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Hmmm, . . . . was there a plaque with poles with all names of city council members.
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It worked for the Todos Santos arches.
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Right on, Concord!
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Reknown for all the wrong reasons! Epic fail!
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Actually, the display did get people talking which is a premise of public art.
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The poles were removed for safety reasons. Cracks developed around the bases’ mounting holes because of continuous vibration.
I recall the stack of cars through a pole in Berwyn, IL. Dumbest thing. That Detroit sculpture in the article looks like it would be standing in a junkyard, waiting for the crusher.
They were ugly and even a bit scary. Sorry Mayor but I’m glad they are gone.
I liked them
They were an ugly waste of tax dollar back then & they would still be an ugly waste of tax dollar today
… are they now posted near the freeway entrance to southbound 680 on YVR in WC? on the south side of the street? …are they being “repurposed”?
No. Those are the pixie sticks.
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The spirit poles were more like… punji sticks.
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🙂
The Spirit Poles were never meant to be “Art” they were actually erected in 1989 as a first line of defense against helicopters and paratroopers. The movie “Red Dawn” 1984 was the inspiration for the paranoid overreaction for supposed artist Gary Rieveschl’s creation which he sold as “art” since he had no luck selling them as a defensive measure in other communities.
Rieveschl also designed the parking lot at “The Orchards” in Walnut Creek as a Tank Trap.
(Now this is how to write an April Fool story)
I believe the artists point was, that in the furture, the city of comcord would support the jab in a big way.