Tom Otterness

Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay before the fall? Like out of a Steely Dan song or something. Anyway, this was the first installation of a city wide sculpture exhibit by artist Tom Otterness. Its placed smack out by the front steps of the Circuit Court. The first time I saw it, not knowing that an exhibit was coming to town, and not seeing any of the other works, I was confounded, if not shocked, as to who would've placed a work of two faceless dough boys dancing on a stack of cash right in front of the new courthouse. Whoever it was, I wanted to go over and shake their hand, maybe buy them a beer! Too funny.

The total exhibit is quite the work in that it provides a walking tour around town of the pieces, all equally whimsical and charming. Ottnerss must have received full discretion as to which works were placed where, as part of the contract. The front of one of the main bank buildings also has two satirical figures, pedestals of a man and a woman with bags of money for faces. The sad part is that you have to wonder how many people still won't pick up on the critique that's going on. But I'm glad that someone in this otherwise conservative and Republican town has some balls and knows how to kick up a good soulful laugh. Guess there are a few of us out there.