Public art, yours for the taking (note: bring forklift)

The area around the DPAC is getting wrapped up in preparation for Sunday's B.B. King opening performance. As of this morning, the sod is in place on what's being called "Diamond View Park" -- the proposed future home of more apartments/condos, though Capitol Broadcasting appears to be waiting for the scene to improve where real estate's concerned.

Similarly, the reopening of Vivian St. seems steps away, with the last strip of road on the verge of getting asphalt down, the sidewalks having been poured in the last week or so. And the decorative banners are up surrounding the exposed concrete sides of the East Deck; future wrapper residential buildings should help the aesthetics there, one of these days.

All of this leads up to Monday night's grand opening, which starts at 5:30 p.m., with live entertainment and self-guided tours of the less-than-$50-million theater. (The H-S and N&O have the lowdown on the December 1 fun.)

As part of the opening, the much-discussed Jaume Plensa "Sleep No More" light sculpture will be powering up at 6 p.m. Assuming, of course, it hasn't been swiped by then:

Last Thursday night, this box was sitting out in front of the DPAC, the front walkway of which (and half of Vivian St.) were no longer blocked off by construction barriers.

Assuming it's not just the proverbial empty box after Christmas morning, this appears to be at least part of the Plensa work, all crated up and ready to light up the night skies.

The box is clearly addressed to Capitol Broadcasting. I particularly like the "Contains: Sleep no more, 2008." Whoda thunk that expensive public art comes with a packing list?

I was a bit surprised to see it sitting right out in the open, unprotected amidst the night sky. Of course, it's not like it's across the street from a jail or anything. (Wait, scratch that, it is.)

Then again, it's not like you're just going to pull up your Ford Ranger pickup truck and throw this thing in the back:

Unless, of course, you have the means of moving one-and-a-quarter tons by your bad self. Otherwise, may we suggest heavy equipment?

Comments

[MDS]

You know you aint right - LOL

As part of the opening, the much-discussed Jaume Plensa "Sleep No More" light sculpture will be powering up at 6 p.m. Assuming, of course, it hasn't been swiped by then

[B]

Plus, it'd be pretty easy to find the perps if they actually plugged it in...

[Will]

I just had this image of the cops pulling up to find a couple of stoners trying to figure out a way to get it home - thinking what an awesome grow light it would make. :)

[John A]

It either contains the lost Ark of the Covenant, or a really gaudy leg lamp.