All posts in the topic Why?Red Buill Cubes on Stone Arch Bridge (Short link)
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- There are 6 posts — by 6 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Logan Spector at Jun 16 16:56 UTC
Two questions: Why? What idiot approved this? Red Bull photo cubes coming to Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis http://minnesotaindependent.com/view/red-bull-photo-cubes Story starts: "Coming smack in the middle of the state's sesquicentennial celebration, it seems an unlikely booking for the Stone Arch Bridge-the symbolic centerpiece of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District, which Minnesota Historical Society Director Nina Archibal often says is arguably the most historic site in the state. But the Minnesota 150th-year party is running on a skimpier budget than the Minnesota's 100th in 1958, leaving a cultural void for an exhibit Red Bull calls "Illume," which looks like someone outfitted a row of monoliths from "2001: A Space Odyssey" with television screens and tuned them into the Fuel TV extreme sports cable channel." ................................. Sheldon Mains The shameless agitator in the electronic town square. Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota http://www.SheldonMains.com/ Blog: http://RandomStuffFromSheldon.blogspot.com/ Twitter.com: sheldonM <email obscured>
Until this message this evening - I do not know a thing about this action
happening (or why) on the Stone Arch Bridge. I will ask staff.
Annie Young
Citywide Park Commissioner
Putting aside the merits {or not} of corporate sponsorship, the quality or
'worthiness' of sports' art {Neiman}, the {or 'would be'} 16-29 year old male
target market shown in audience photos (note-some of the photographers are
women)--this is a pretty impressive exhibit. Other than skating, gymnastics and
(gulp) synchronized swimming ("you are what you were when" Esther Williams),
I'm not a sports 'fan'. But these photos are exciting, well composed and
creative. Locations seem to be natural or urbanscape 'framed' installation
art.
It's been around several years-- the background, international photographers
and nationwide/int'l venues are at:
http://www.redbullillume.com/?cmd=FrontendFramework
Sponsor's info (Lowepro) and Mpls press release at:
http://www.lowepro.com/about-us/news-and-events/red-bull-illume
"...On July 10-20, a breathtaking spectacle of 25 eight-foot glass and metal
cubes will light up Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge, overlooking the
Mississippi River, each evening from dusk until midnight to reveal the most
dramatic compilation of action and adventure sports imagery ever assembled.
During the day, the mirrored
cubes will offer reflective views of the citys urban surroundings, which
include renowned art institutions such
as The Walker Art Center, The Guthrie, The Weisman, and The Minneapolis
Institute of Art. Named the
Artiest City West of the Mississippi by USA Today, Minneapolis boasts high
culture, progressive thinking
and art persuasion which made it an appropriate next stop for the Red Bull
Illume Exhibit Tour. ..."
I see why reporter Chris Steller
had problems locating the source of the decision choosing the Stone Arch
Bridge. I Googled City, Park Board, Henn co. Rrd Authority minutes, county,
Mpls Sesquintennial, Aquatennial (Ses. partner), Convention Center, Meet Mpls.,
Downtown Council, a couple of private arts groups...nothing under "Red Bull
Illume" or Illume. But then, some of the above websites don't search well or
aren't current. Surprised there hasn't been any PR from the city sources...as
it fits in with the city arts recommendation to be 'edgy'.
Since this exhibit has a world wide schedule (plans made in '06), I'd guess
arrangements were made awhile ago.
Would be curious to know what the financial arrangements are. While nothing
like the more subtle corporate sponsorships at MIA, I'll let other comment on
its 'appropriateness'.
best wishes,
cheryl luger
nokomis east
I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder
to see them not ashamed.
--- Jonathan Swift
I'd add: http://www.sparksonline.com/products-services/red-bull.htm Presumably, it did not need a whole lot of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board attention to bring about of Annie Young would probably have remembered, so I'd guess that the unnamed planner in Chris Stellar's article and Jon Gurban would know more about the arrangements. I sure hope there's some revenue for parks in it, at the very least. Maybe next we should go for a giant application of toothpaste of some brand or other to the bridge, the one that pays the most, of course. The latest work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude is river related as well, albeit the Arkansas River: http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/otr.shtml Maybe they'd consider wrapping over the Red Bull event here, instead of the Colorado project.
On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:37:43 -0700 (PDT), C Luger wrote:
>Putting aside the merits {or not} of corporate sponsorship, the quality or
'worthiness' of sports' art {Neiman}, the {or 'would be'} 16-29 year old male
target market shown in audience photos (note-some of the photographers are
women)--this is a pretty impressive exhibit. Other than skating, gymnastics and
(gulp) synchronized swimming ("you are what you were when" Esther Williams),
I'm not a sports 'fan'. But these photos are exciting, well composed and
creative. Locations seem to be natural or urbanscape 'framed' installation
art.
And it's a great location for BASE jumping, if the bridge is high
enough. (BASE jumpers are people who parachute from
"Buildings/Antennas/Spans[bridges]/Earth[cliffs]".) I can't see how the
city could have any objection, it would be totally on-theme.
If the bridge turns out not to be high enough, there's always the option
of bungie jumping from it.
It's interesting to see the city support extreme sports.
!!