Snap o' the day: Snapped

By Lisa Provence |
Published online 8:40am Tuesday Jun 29th, 2010
and in print issue #0926 dated Thursday Jul 1st, 2010
snap-whale-tailThomas Givens' sculpture is another microburst casualty.
PHOTO BY LISA PROVENCE

The once-proud whale tail on the U.S. 250 bypass takes a fatal hit from the June 24 storm.

Read more on: art in placemicroburst

9 comments

bella July 1st, 2010 | 12:04pm

I LOVE THE WHALE TALE. I drive by it every day and it always makes me smile. i hope they can repair it! Appreciate things people!

Wesley Ellis June 29th, 2010 | 9:11am

I just put a picture of this on my facebook 2 days ago, its a real shame. I think Cville paid $30,000 for this? Thats what I heard from someone.

Rick June 29th, 2010 | 9:28pm

I pity people who because of their small minds and small appendages can't appreciate art. Thank God there are so few of you!

speedbump June 29th, 2010 | 9:54pm

Whale tail = cool
Bike Man thing on McIntire = cool
Polar Bear on McIntire = sorta cute
Lipstick thingy by the fire station on bypass = What the heck?

oneman July 2nd, 2010 | 9:07am

I thought that whale tail was very cool. perfect spot for it too. I don't mind it stained dark (some have said they'd prefer a natural mahogany), but wonder if a steel insert could help strengthen it.

town regular June 29th, 2010 | 10:31am

No. The city is leasing it for $250 a month. which adds up to $3000 a year!! add that up to their other ugly sculptures,(the whale tail was one of the better ones, dont get me wrong) but we could probably build a new mall from scratch with what they spend on this junk. Im outraged! And to think it comes from our tax dollers!!!!!! But Wesley, the city could have bought it for $30,000. but chose not to. i say we start a petition to get these P.O.S. taken down. or the city stop spending so darn much on them.

Gasbag Self Ordained Expert June 30th, 2010 | 8:48pm

Rick, there's a time and place for art. Taxpayers not wanting to foot the bill is a very important issue too. I also don't want my tax money thrown away on silly distractions on the side of the road, drivers have enough distractions already.

fu June 29th, 2010 | 9:59pm

I love art. I make it, I collect it, I've pretty much devoted my life to it. I'm glad to see the whale tail go. I'd be happy to see most of the art in place go.

Jeff D June 29th, 2010 | 7:04pm

The eyesore factor when alone attempting to navigate Charlotteville's mousemaze roads is enough reason to get rid of the phony sculptures.