APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – When “The Collective” was placed at the west end of the College Avenue Bridge, there was a collective problem.
“It doesn’t fit the neighborhood with old historic homes, it’s out of place, it’s too big,” said resident John Bunks in 2019.
“I liked having the sculpture I think initially I thought the paint job was kind of weird, kinda junky,” said resident David Duncombe.
Now the piece is gone and on a trailer ready to be shipped off.
Executive Director of Sculpture Valley, Alex Schultz, tells FOX 11 the piece made out of salvaged propane tanks, turned into a large head was purposefully placed.
“This piece was so large, it needed a lot more breathing space and we really don’t have that many opportunities in our downtown corridor. It got the most viewership than any piece we’ve had in the acre series.”
“The Collective” sat on College Avenue for more than two years and while it caused some controversy, Schultz says the goal of the piece was to spark conversation.
“I thought it was eye-catching it was something that everyone talked about. I thought it was neat to have another person’s perspective,” said Lori Jorgenson while on her usual walk route.
So what’s going to replace “The Collective”? Well, Schultz says nothing, the space will now sit empty.
“Yeah, that makes me sad. I think that it’s a great corner, it’s a great place to display stuff and for the community to talk about.”
The piece had a two-year residency on College Avenue and a six-month extension, but now the time is over.
Schultz says getting the approval for public placement through the city was a lot of work. Now Sculpture Valley is going to focus on art for private properties.
“If the public comes forward specifically that neighborhood and says we’d like someone to sponsor it, by all means, we’ll do it.”
For the time being, Schultz says the Vulcan Heritage and Jones Parks statues won’t get replacement pieces either.
The family that sponsored “The Collective” purchased the piece.
It will sit at their home in Bozeman, Montana.
