PUBLIC ART IN THE PARKS
Minne, The Lake Creature, Has Gone South For The Winter!
The last day that Minne resided in Lake of the Isles was in October 2009, before the snow and ice set in for a typical winter season in Minnesota. Everyone was sad to see her leave, as this art sculpture was a fun addition to the local lakes scene in Minnesota during the summer months. On July 8th, Minne, the Lake Creature, surprised Minneapolis residents when she suddenly appeared in Lake Harriet one morning. This 13 foot sculpture was created by the artist, Cameron Gainer, and resembles the Loch
Ness monster. In a press conference on July 16th, Cecily Hines, the president of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation indicated that the Foundation is “pleased to offer this sculpture for the enjoyment of the community, and we are grateful to our generous private donors who have made this project possible. There will be more public art in the parks supported by the Foundation in the future”. As such, the Foundation has established a new “Public Arts Fund”, to support future art projects in the parks of Minneapolis.
Minne, The Lake Creature, A Favorite Friend and Icon
All summer long, Minne was a source of joy and delight to Minneapolis residents of all ages. Young children speculated about whether she was real or not. Older residents brought their grandchildren to see her and to dream about the stories that might explain why she was in the Twin Cities, and what her future might be. Parents biked around the lakes with their children, stopping along the way to say hi to Minne, who was residing in the lake water. At any time, you could see families, young people, and older people,
bringing their cameras to take photos of the lake creature. In a short time, Minne had become a local celebrity and icon for the Twin Cities. Visitors came from far and wide to specifically visit Minne, as she began her life in the lakes of Minneapolis. This summer, Minne, took up residence in two lakes: Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles. Where she would pop up, and when, was always a mystery and a surprise. One day, Minne would just show up in a new spot, a fun surprise that everyone enjoyed as they biked, walked, and jogged around the lakes.
To see and hear candid reactions and responses to Minne, watch The Lake Creature Video below.
Minne, The Lake Creature, As Art
Cameron Gainer, an artist from New York City, who now resides in Minneapolis, is the creator of this unique piece of public art. His artistic expertise spans sculpture, photography, performance, and film and video; and his works explores aspects of human perception and cognition as well as the universal themes of time and space, life and death.
This particular sculpture, symbolically titled _[. is based on the iconic, “Surgeonʼs Photo” of 1934 that was presented as definitive evidence of the existence of Scotlandʼs infamous Loch Ness Monster. This photo was subsequently proven to be a hoax many years later but remains the universally acknowledge representation of the mystical lake creature.
Cameron Gainer has expressed his interest in the notion of “cinema inside out” where you encounter something in an environment and under circumstances where the view is not quite sure what they are looking at. “The viewer is surprised by the discovery, as they stumble upon it, and there is a momentary rupture in what is reality.”
And then there is the Mona Lisa smile of the lake creature, and also the eyes that seem to follow you, which all seem to confuse the notion of realtiy versus fiction, which only adds to the fun of the sculpture.
Public art accesses an audience that isnʼt necessarily going to go to an art museum. Instead, they just come across the art in their environment, which “creates a moment of access”. This represents a “tremendous opportunity to reach an audience that didnʼt expect to see art”. In the case of the lake creature, the artist intentionally made the lake creature so that it has to be placed in a body of water, a natural setting, and not in an art museum.
For more information about Cameron Gainer, in his own words, watch his video below.
The Future of Minne, The Lake Creature
Every summer, Minne will return to the lakes of Minneapolis, but with surprise and mystery. One day, she will just pop up at one of the lakes to amaze and delight those who are walking by, and suddenly come upon her in the water. At some point, she will move to another lake to become familiar with a new neighborhood and a new group of friends.
There will be all kinds of programs that will be themed on Minne, the lake creature. Storytelling, story writing, and art creation programs for kids and adults, themed on Minne, will be introduced in the summer of 2010. The specifics of these programs will be announced shortly, so stay tuned!
For more information about what will happen with Minne, plan to check www.lakecreature.com for details; we will also make postings on Facebook and Twitter for the lake creature.
A Message from Minne, The Lake Creature
Hi everyone! I am basking in the sun and warmth in sunny Florida for now. But, I look
forward to coming back to Minneapolis next summer to see all my friends and to enjoy
the beautiful parks and lakes of Minneapolis. You all made me feel so welcomed last
summer.
So, please support Minneapolis Parks Foundation by making a donation to help feed me, and to keep me healthy through the long winter months. As you know, I am a BIG girl, and I need a lot of food to keep going, and to be ready to return to you next summer. In addition, your donation will help fund needed enhancements to our treasured neighborhood parks, more fun public art projects, and important community planning for creative park designs of tomorrow!
Please be as generous as you can by making a tax-deductible donation to Minneapolis Parks Foundation. This will help keep ME coming back year after year.
Thank you, and see you next summer!
Your friend,
Minne, the Lake Creature
To make a donation to Minne, the lake creature, and for the other projects of Minneapolis Parks Foundation, please press this donate button.
