Amity by Roy Gussow - Tulsa, OK
N 36° 08.996 W 095° 59.715
15S E 230519 N 4004735
One of Tulsa's first pieces of publicly owned abstract sculpture.
Waymark Code: WMQV3
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 09/18/2006
Views: 83
Even though the Xerox Corp. in Rochester, NY was paying sculptor Roy Gussow $100,000 for a similar piece, to Tulsans in 1969, $5000 for the model and $30,000 for "a highly polished stainless steel work that will depict nothing but will evoke a pleasing emotional response from its viewers" (Tom Wood, Tulsa World) seemed a pretty steep price. Actually, it worked out to about 1 penny per resident of Tulsa County.
Another bone of contention was that not only was the artist "an outsider", he was a New Yorker, with a studio on Long Island! Apparently it did not matter that his apprentice, Monte England, was a local student of sculpture at the University of Tulsa. Mix in the tensions and maneuverings of a mayoral election, and you have a lot of discussion in the op ed pages.
After the long-awaited unveiling, the Tulsa Tribune printed this article, dated Saturday, May 10, 1969, featuring comments on the new sculpture from Republicans holding their party's state convention in the nearby Assembly Center-
Paul Nicek, architectural engineer, El Reno:
"That silver thing over there? I think it's appropriate for the city."
G.B. Knight, oil well service worker, Duncan:
"I don't know anything about art- I'm a well digger."
Clare Smith, accountant, Muskogee:
"That white thing that looks like an accident?"
Jerry Hooker, farm co-operateve manager, Hitchcock:
"I was wondering what that was."
Mrs. Jerry Hooker:
"It's pretty and attractive, and it's something you notice."
Vera Rigdon, retired college professor, Stillwater:
"Having been in research [for?] years, I'm going to have to give much more time and thought before I decide what I think of that cotton-pickin' thing."
Mrs. Frank H. Dunn, Jr., Tulsa housewife, 3625 S. Trenton:
"It's... it's ... it just rolls off my knife.
"Actually, it looks like an iron. I think it's too bad.
"There are contemporary things I like better!"
Milton Neufeld, farmer, Balko:
"It's quite the deal, isn't it? Represents the Space Age, don't it?"
Mrs. Milton Neufeld:
"I think it's just beautiful."
Ethan Allen Walker, Tulsa oil company employee, 5222 S. Irvington Pl.:
"Ah... well, it's unique."
Bruce Walker, 16, attending the convention with his father:
"I like it. It's kind of new and innovative, and it fits in with this whole new city project."
Mrs. L. Collings, Tulsa housewife, 6317 E. 56th Pl.:
"I think it's magnificent- just beautiful!"
Don Barrington, banker, Alex:
"I didn't think anything about it. But frankly, it doesn't do anything for me."
James M. Hewgley, mayor, City of Tulsa:
"I think it's pretty. Don't you, really?"
A bystander then asked hizzoner what he was referring to, and the mayor, grandly pointing across the mall, replied:
"That stainless steel glob over there!"
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Title: Amity
Artist: Roy Gussow
Media (materials) used: Stainless Steel
Location (specific park, transit center, library, etc.): The Plaza outside City Hall
Date of creation or placement: May 1969
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