Brooke Hawkins, executive director of the Columbus Area Arts Council and chairperson of the Mayor’s Public Art Committee, said the piece has needed repair for some time. “The piece has broken welds, fading paint and has been graffitied a few times over the years.” 

 

As the intersection of 4th and Washington is currently closed for the installation of Interoculous, one of the installations of the upcoming Exhibit Columbus exhibition, Hawkins said the timing is suitable for the repair work. “We worked with City officials and the Exhibit Columbus team to coordinate the best time to remove the piece. To keep costs low, we used the onsite crane from the Interoculous installation,” she said. 

 

The repairs are being paid for through the Arts Council’s Public Art Longevity Fund – a fund started in 2022 dedicated to providing maintenance dollars for the preservation and maintenance of our community’s public art assets. 

 

Arts leaders are in discussion with the City of Columbus to explore potential permanent locations downtown for the piece upon completion of the repair work. Flamenco has been sitting unanchored on the sidewalk since 2014. Hawkins said the sculpture was never properly installed because the intention was for it to only be on view temporarily. “Flamenco deserves to be cared for properly, and that includes installing it correctly and finding a location where it can be viewed without obstruction,” she said.

 

The Arts Council contracted Indianapolis-based company Brose Partington Studio to repair and paint the piece. In addition to his own studio practice, the Studio specializes in the maintenance and restoration of art objects. Flamenco was transported to the studio in Indianapolis where the work will be completed. Migdal was consulted on the project to match the paint color and surface finish.