(Photograph by Jim Prinz)
Mexican artist Yvonne Domenge‘s 13-foot abstracted yellow sphere, “Tabachin Ribbon”, could be heading to Fort Worth in the next few weeks. For the last year and a half, the carbon steel sculpture has been on temporary display at Chicago’s Millennium Park, along with three other outdoor sculptures by Domenge. The artist requested that when the outdoor exhibit closes on October 21, 2012 the four sculptures be donated to other cities or museums.
Edward Uhlir, Executive Director of Millennium Park, Inc., traveled to Fort Worth this summer to speak at the 10th anniversary celebration of Fort Worth’s public art program. During his stay, he suggested the arts commission apply for one of Domenge’s sculptures.
Named after a native Madagascar tree, “Tabachin Ribbon” is valued at $155,000. Cost to transport, store and install the 6,000-pound sculpture in Fort Worth is estimated to be up to $60,000.
Downtown Fort Worth Inc.’s Urban Design Committee and the City of Fort Worth’s Downtown Design Review Board endorsed accepting the sculpture. After funds from next year’s Fort Worth’s public art budget were identified to cover the transport and installation costs of the sculpture, Millennium Park approved Fort Worth Public Art’s application.
If all goes well, “Tabachin Ribbon” will be installed in front of the city’s municipal courts building in downtown Fort Worth. The final hurdle is a thumbs-up vote for the expenditure from Fort Worth City Council which recently slashed its annual contribution to the Fort Worth Arts Council by 25% in order to alleviate the city’s shortfall budget.
