Hunter Museum of American Art

The chimps have it: 'The Troupe,' by artist Bart Walter, is selected for the Chattanooga Zoo

More than 4,100 voted to help select sculpture as part of the Hunter Museum's Art in Public Places project

CONTACT: 
Katrina Craven (423) 752-2070
kcraven@huntermuseum.org

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Feb. 5, 2008) - The voters have spoken, and they've selected "The Troupe" by Bart Walter to grace the new entrance of the Chattanooga Zoo.

The public vote and placement of "The Troupe" is part of the Hunter Museum's Art in Public Places project. The project, made possible by a generous grant from the Benwood Foundation, will allow the Hunter Museum to acquire at least four outdoor sculptures for its permanent collection. The works will be selected by the public through a voting process and then placed in public areas throughout the city, including the Zoo, Renaissance Park and Miller Plaza.

"This project is an example of the Benwood Foundation's continuing commitment to cultural life in Chattanooga and support of public art as a way to highlight the vitality of the City," said Kristy Huntley, Benwood's Financial and Program Officer for Arts & Culture, Environment and Community Development Focus Areas. 

"The Troupe" is a group of seven bronze chimpanzee figures that will reside in the stunning new entrance of the Chattanooga Zoo. Each figure represents a member of the chimpanzee social group, from the Alpha males to the mothers and their young.

"Four chimps are striding along purposefully, two are playing in a wonderful arc of implied movement, one is standing on two feet and there is a toddler clinging to its mother," said Walter, describing "The Troupe." "Each chimp is strikingly unique, and all ages are represented - from tiny infant to aging matriarch."

Walter has become one of the definitive sculptors of primates in the nation. His chimpanzees loll in the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and their authenticity has been certified and embraced by primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall. Walter often sculpts his figures from life (preferably in the wild) with a small clay or wax model to achieve the faithful realism and endearing personality of his subjects.

 "For six glorious days I followed wild chimpanzees in Uganda's Kibale forest," Walter said.  "My goal was to bring my experience to life for others - through the language of sculpture."

 Staff members from the Hunter Museum and the Chattanooga Zoo enjoyed the dynamic interaction between the traveling chimpanzees of "The Troupe," and the bronze sculptures will be installed at the Zoo in the fall.

"I look forward with great anticipation to casting 'The Troupe' in bronze and sharing my work with the people of Chattanooga and visitors," Walter added. "To all involved in making this happen, once again,  Thank you."

The Hunter, in conjunction with the Public Art Committee, the City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department, the Chattanooga Zoo, the RiverCity Company and other collaborators, selected the Chattanooga Zoo as one of the three sites for the project and proposed three possible pieces for that site.

 "This project is a continuation of our efforts to take the Hunter off the hill and make it a more active part of the community," said Hunter Museum Director Rob Kret. "Placing our sculptures around the city will allow us to expand the footprint of the museum beyond the Bluff View Art district."

Allowing the public to choose which pieces will be placed in each location offers a tremendous opportunity to engage citizens in the selection process, Kret added.  

During the month of February, Chattanooga residents have the opportunity to select two sculptures that will be placed in Renaissance Park. Participants can vote online at www.huntermuseum.org or cast paper ballots at the Hunter Museum or the Chattanooga Downtown Library. Polls for the Renaissance Park site will be open through Feb. 28 and results for the site will be announced after the polls have closed.

The finalists for each site were selected using the following criteria:

• The artists are nationally known and well-established or have a growing reputation.
• The work suits the site in terms of theme and size.
• The work is appropriate for public locations in that they pose no safety hazards and can withstand wear and tear of heavy public interaction and weathering.
• The work encourages a breadth in the Hunter sculpture collection.
• The work contains artistic merit in concept, context, design and craftsmanship.
• The work can be completed on time and within budget.
• The work is original or part of a limited edition. 

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The Hunter Museum of American Art is located at 10 Bluff View in Chattanooga, Tenn.  The Museum is open every day until 5 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m.  For more information the public may call the Museum at (423) 267-0968, or visit us on the Web at www.huntermuseum.org.

*Click here to view more images of the winner or vote now for the Renaissance Park site.