Cleveland’s Public Art Scene
It’s not unusual for us to hear first-time visitors walking through downtown, stopping dead in their tracks and saying, “Oh cool! What is that?!” That, my friend, is public art
A long beloved symbol of our city and its history, the Guardians' likeness and namesake was recently chosen to represent Cleveland in a new and exciting way: as the new nickname of Progressive Field's finest that play just East of the bridge itself.
In 1982, artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen were commissioned by Standard Oil Company of Ohio to create a piece of outdoor art to enhance its company’s headquarters at 200 Public Square. They chose the word “FREE” in an effort to create a contemporary take on the concept of liberty. However, the word “FREE” was to be placed upside down – in an attempt, perhaps, to make a statement to the oil-company big wigs looking down from their skyscraper offices.
Put on display in 1964, the monument was created by Cleveland Institute of Art grad Marshall Fredericks to honor local veterans of the Korean War and World War II.
Head to the 1916 building of the museum (the white marble entrance toward the back steps) to get your picture next to Rodin’s “The Thinker.” Just down the steps sits Chester Beach’s beautiful “Fountain of the Waters” in Wade Oval.
Keeping Art Alive in CLE
Cleveland is deeply committed to the creation of public art. In 2004, the city enacted legislation requiring that capital improvement projects within city limits with budgets over $350,000 must designate at least 1.5% of the total budget toward the creation of new public art.
For more information on public art in Cleveland, visit www.ThisisCleveland.com.
