‘Photoplay’ sculpture now at Lakebottom

“The frame is a different way of seeing Lakebottom,” said Anne King, executive director of MidTown Inc.

The frame of which she speaks is made of wood, is 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide, and stands in the southwest portion of the park where it was constructed on Sunday.

The interactive sculpture, “Photoplay” resembles a giant picture frame. People are invited to stand in and have a photograph made.

King said she is sure that families and other groups will want to take advantage of it. “I can see a dance troupe using it,” she said.

It was built in conjunction with the upcoming Artbeat 2016 which takes place March 28 through April 9.

It is also part of The Minimum Grid Project, a Knight Cities Challenge effort to improve the connection between Midtown and downtown.

“It makes for a better connection between Lakebottom and the Riverfront,” King said.

The work is based on art called “Big Red Frame” by Jean-Pierre Pasche, a Swiss artist whos own piece of work is located in an orchard in Easthampton, Mass.

Bitsy Dedwylder is MidTown business association coordinator. She saw Pasche’s work in a photograph and thought something like it would be popular here. She said the Columbus sculpture was constructed with Pasche’s blessing.

“We were invited to get more involved with Artbeat whose mission is to provide culture, engagement and education. We tried to think of something appealing to all ages, residents and visitors. The design we found is perfect for Lakebottom Park which is Midtown’s favorite public gathering place. People are going to love this,” Dedwylder said.

She suggested some schools may want to use it in a project.

The sculpture was put together by a local craftsman John Schwan.

“I have been a resident of Midtown my whole life so it was a treat to do this. It was a family project,” he said.

Dedwylder said other art projects for Lakebottom maay follow but not this year.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 10:46 AM with the headline "‘Photoplay’ sculpture now at Lakebottom."