a collection set in real-time Newark Ohio
 Grandpa |
 Mark Twain |
 Bike Boy
|
 Fishing
|
 Studying |
 Chess
|
 Animal Dance |
 Engrossed |
 Pledge of Allegiance
|
 Conversation |
 Runner |
 Jumping Fountains |
| A
personality sketch of Gib Reese All photographs owned and copyrighted by Bruce Humphrey |
The most under-publicized of world-class attractions could the one hiding in public places all over town in Newark Ohio. I'm not even sure if it has a collective name. I call it the Reese Bronzes, after Gib Reese, a leading attorney, banker, and philanthropist. Gib, and whomever else has contributed money, enthusiasm, and artistic input, have installed throughout the city several - and I don't even know how many - life-like statues in Newark's real-time context. The fact that most of them are sitting in unexpected, high-traffic places makes them all the more endearing, life-like, useful, necessary, and resplendent. For instance, Hal Holbrook in the character of Mark Twain can be found sitting on a bench in front of the Midland Theater ticket booth. There is room for you too, and you are welcome to sit beside him. At the Newark Campus of Ohio State Univeristy you can kibitz a man and a boy while they fish from the banks of a pond. Or you can go to the opposite bank of that pond and further distract a female student who lies there, already distracted from her textbook. I have for many months attempted to capture the bronzes photographically. I'm not sure I have them all, but I am still at work and I hope, over time, to improve on some of the images presented here. Further, because of time constraints I have yet to follow through with interviews of the people who arrange to purchase and place the bronzes. This will happen eventually if they are receptive. This Newark Tea Party gallery is, therefore, a work in progress, as is the collection itself. |