Let's be honest. If you live in Central Indiana you've heard of "Morning Sun" even if you've never heard of it by name.
I have to feel kind of bad for artist Brad Howe. Howe created "Morning Sun," a 16-foot tall roundabout sculpture located at 1215 S. Rangeline Road that is made of stainless steel and urethane.
While Carmel has a solid reputation for promoting public art, at times even successfully, the truth is that "Morning Sun" has received mostly scathing reviews from the public since its appearance on Rangeline Road in a visible location.
The reason, of course, is that it resembles a testicle.
I kind of feel like we should call it pubic art.
I'm not even sure you can say that in a Yelp review, but the simple fact it's true. If you look at "Morning Sun" and think of anything else, well, you're lying.
Unveiled in January of this year, I'll confess I also briefly thought it resembled the COVID-19 virus. But, that would be weird.
I don't have the heart to give "Morning Sun" a 1-star review despite honestly finding it to be one of the ugliest pieces of public art I've ever seen. I also can't help but think it's wildly out of place in its current location.
But, well, to each their own I guess.
I suppose I feel better knowing that it's not created by a local artist. Howe is California-based and also created "Cyclo" and "Reckon" for Carmel - both of which are massively preferable to this work.
The 45th sculpture to be installed by Carmel, at a reported cost of $209,200, "Morning Sun" is intended as a piece of contemporary abstract art by Howe. To his credit, Howe has maintained both an open mind and a sense of humor about the not so positive feedback. Howe also acknowledges the unique timing of the sculpture's placement amidst the pandemic - though, of course, the sculpture was actually commissioned prior to the pandemic.
As noted, I'm not a fan of roundabout art. I tend to find it distracting in a driving situation where distraction isn't particularly a good thing. However, Carmel most certainly has some good pieces of public art.
"Morning Sun," at least in my opinion, isn't one of them. read more