Save Our Spindle

They Snuck the Spindle Away!

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:30:00 GMT

With no advance notice provided to the Save the Spindle group, the car kebab sculpture was dismantled during the night on Friday, May 2, 2008.

If the media were aware of it, it was embargoed.

This was silly. The members of the Save the Spindle Consortium were not going to chain themselves to the thing, or build a treehouse, etc. I know they would have like to schedule a final event to give the Spindle send-off it deserved -- and wouldn't that have been good business for the stores around Cermak Plaza, who have a genuine stake in the issue?

Spindle Listed on eBay for $50,000

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:32:00 GMT

According to the Associated Press, CBS Chicago, the Save the Spindle Foundation and ChiTrib, the following item is for real.

    Dustin Shuler's Spindle For Sale on eBay!
    Points of interest in the listing:

        * Opening bid: $50,000
        * Buyer is responsible for demolition and shipping: $100,000
        * "The sculpture is being sold subject to copyright claims asserted by the artist Dustin Shuler."*
        * Act quickly: bidding closes Apr-17-08 15:07:46 PDT
        * Foundation, guard rails and concrete base cannot be salvaged, but don't worry -- construction plans are included!

The seller account is "mjflight1", an eBay member since May 2007, and no eBay seller record whatsoever. This is obviously Michael Flight, the manager of Cermak Plaza. The listing, however, states that the item is being put up for sale by its owner.

*Dustin Shuler made an atypical copyright arrangement with David Bermant, who originally commisioned the work for Cermak Plaza. Exclusive display rights belong to the owner of Cermak Plaza but under certain conditions (including permanent destruction) the rights revert to Shuler and he can install a copy anywhere he wishes. It's unclear what exactly is meant by "copyright claims asserted by Dustin Shuler" in this context.

Aaron Curran, Musician and Walking Spindle, Weighs In
Probably in violation of said copyright, Berwyn band musician Aaron Curran has heroically had the Spindle tattoed on his torso. Watch a video to hear Aaron's thoughts on the eBay listing and see the tatoo.

Last Spindle Video?

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:41:00 GMT

This video came to me from Friends of the Spindle. For the past couple of weeks there's been speculation that the Spindle would be dismantled very soon but no specific demolition date is set.

Spindle video from sumoflam

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 17:44:00 GMT

A guest post today...

I am new to this blog, having run across it this morning while searching for an email address for Dustin Shuler so that I can share my recent video ot Spindle.

I have made numerous trips to Chicago with the objective of seeing Spindle. There was always an obstacle. However, last week I made it finally. I am on my way to Washington, but made sure to get there this time and get some photos and even a video of it. My Trip Journal page includes both a YouTube link and a Flash link of the video of Spindle. It can be seen at: http://www.sumoflam.biz/WashJournal.htm

If you wish to see the YouTube version, please go directly there....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb7HvaNawvc

I am really saddened that the Spindle may be lost in this battle, but I wanted to try in my own little way to make an effort to save it, if for anything else, to save it for others to see in video form.

Thanks,
Sumoflam

Maggie's Response to Judy Baar Topinka

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:46:00 GMT

On August 3, Judy Baar Topinka published the following in the Chicago Tribune:

Spindle in Need of a Tow Truck

Yes, the "Spindle" did put Berwyn into the movie "Wayne's World." But no other community is bucking to be in something as spoof-oriented and goofy as that film. You don't see Hinsdale or Bolingbrook or Riverside seeking something like the "Spindle" to get notoriety. No community of standing wants to be known for having something better placed in a used-car lot.

Yes, tourists come with cameras and pose in front of the stack of deteriorating cars. These photos are probably sent to homes around the world. And what is the message? That Berwyn prides itself on having a pile of junk cars as its claim to fame. How disrespectful of all that is good and worthy in Berwyn to shout about.

Ouch. Leaving aside the fact that other communities (including, ironically, Bolingbrook, HAVE expressed interest in offering sanctuary to the Spindle... Judy is entitled to her opinion, as are all the other Spindle detractors. It's annoying, though, that she treats the supposed eyesoreness of the Spindle as a self-evident fact, and takes the further step of deciding that ugly=bad. There are those who view the art of Dustin Shuler as (yes) credible art and the smugness of the anti-Spindle crowd ignores that.

I'll save my culture war screed for some other post and let Maggie speak for us:

Give the Spindle the Respect It Deserves

Is the Spindle beautiful or ugly? Boring or controversial? "Art" or "junk"? Is it just a bunch of cars on a metal pole or is it a commentary on our disposable culture or autos needing to go the way of the dodo as more and more people embrace a "greener" way of living? Is it a strange tourist attraction that just looks cool?

Perhaps it is all of these things.

We believe that nearly 20 years have changed some perceptions of Berwyn since David Bermant thrust his ideas about modern art onto its citizens. Yes, there are some longtime residents who feel the Spindle us a jab at the residents.

But talk to some of the newcomers -- young adults and families, artists, musicians, professionals (IT, legal and medical) -- moving into our beautiful, historic bungalows from Lakeview and other areas to make Berwyn an exciting and vibrant community. This is a different Berwyn than it was 25 years ago. With them comes a new attitude about the town and about the Spindle

Spindle T-shirts and Posters Are Now On Sale!

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:57:00 GMT

T-shirts and posters have been donated to the Save-the-Spindle campaign! The T-shirts are from SFW products -- are they the donor, someone? Because they are a charitable donation, all proceeds will go to the campaign, less a royalty to Dustin Shuler, the artist who created the Spindle.

The shirts are $20, and include a free poster (pictured). I'm sure they'll go on sale online soon but for now they're at SWF Products, 7003 Ogden, Berwyn, IL 60402. (708-484-2325)

Info on Save The Spindle T-shirts and Posters here

In other Spindle news...

Chicago Suburban News on Friday published a piece on the role of the Internet in the campaign to save the Spindle. The main focus was on Maggie Ragaisis, founder of www.savethespindle.com, along with a nice little mention of this blog. I really hope I didn't actually talk of "enthusiam for the Spindle's plight."

A week ago, the Berwyn Berwyn City Council unanimously approved a resolution to assist in negotiations related to saving, relocating and restoring the “Spindle” so it can be returned to Cermak Plaza and the people of the community.

Critical Mass Stages Bike Ride from Picasso to the Spindle

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:02:00 GMT

Friday July 27, Chicago Critical Mass participants are proposing to ride from the Picasso to the Spindle to save a cultural landmark in Berwyn, IL.

A beloved public sculpture is set to be toppled over to make way for yet another Walgreens "convenience" store, but public resistance is mounting to keep Cermak Plaza's iconic Spindle sculpture standing.

The Spindle, aka Car Spike or Kabob, was created by California-based artist Dustin Shuler. His sculpture is the most notable of a variety of giant public art works that give Berwyn's Cermak Plaza its unique charm. The car spike was featured in a memorable scene in the movie "Wayne's World", which helped cement the sculpture as an American icon and put Berwyn Illinois on the pop culture map, so it's pretty easy to see why local residents are angry about corporate interests erasing their town's identity.

Berwyn, it's not too late to take a stand! Participants of Chicago Critical Mass are proposing to send a cavalry of cyclists to protest this kind of predatory corporate development, which whitewashes our communities and trades civic pride for shareholder profits. When the Spindle is torn down and replaced by a Walgreens store, part of Berwyn dies and a sacred community space will look no different from any other stripmall in any other town. The participants of Chicago's Critical Mass will not quietly pedal by as corporations deface our communities transforming the world into a characterless monoculture.

Why would a group of cyclists care about a monument to car culture?Perhaps we see the Spindle as a prophetic symbol of a future where cars are reduced to fossil remains as they go the way of the dinosaurs that fueled them. We know the car spike will become more meaningful and infinitely more valuable when America finally closes this dark chapter of unsustainable living and ecological destruction. It is an Ozymandias for the industrial age, mocking the moral insanity of planned obsolescence and providing a deliciously twisted look into our throw away junk culture.

Now the dark forces of indifference, convenience, and profit are conspiring to dispose of this great work of art, but what the Spindle's opponents have not bargained for is that great art connects with people in subtly profound ways as we emotionally connect with our cultural landscape and develop a sense of pride for the spaces and places we call home.

Chicago Critical Mass bike rides have been gathering at the base of the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza the last Friday of every month for the last 10 years, we understand how public art and space can galvanize a community.

If some greedy developer and heartless corporation came along and tried to take our sculpture and plaza, we would raise hell. Critical Mass has no leaders or formal structure, so I cannot say for certain that cyclists will vote on Friday to ride all the way out to from the Picasso to the Spindle. However, the word on the street is the citizens of Berwyn need some back up to help preserve our cultural heritage and save an important work of art, and many of us can't wait to storm Berwyn's Cermak Plaza.

What we want: an end to cultural identity theft. If Walgreens and Concordia Realty Management want to move the Spindle, they should help the Berwyn Arts Council pay for its restoration, transportation, and installation. It's time corporations stop turning our communities into company towns that resemble board games filled with generic pop-up box stores that make every city and town look the same.

We invite the citizens of Berwyn to join us at the base of the Spindle this Friday July 27 around 7:30pm. We are working to help you get the story out and to make corporations and developers accountable to the communities they claim to serve.

Act now by signing the Save the Spindle Petition at the website for the Berwyn Arts Council, and check back often as fund raising t-shirts will be available for sale online soon! Click here to stay informed on the latest efforts to Save the Spindle!

Steven Lane
Critical Mass Participant and Website Volunteer July 22, 2007
Join hundreds of Chicago cyclists at Daley Plaza (Washington & Dearborn) every last Friday of the month.

Friends of the Spindle to Become Not-for-Profit

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:04:00 GMT

I missed Friday's launch party for the Save-the-Spindle campaign, but I've been in touch with one of the folks behind the campaign. About 100 people signed a petition at the party (not bad for a small, in-person event without much advance notice). A video starring "Wayne" at the Save the Spindle party is up on YouTube. One attendee compared the red Beetle atop the Spindle to the cherry on top of a sundae. Party on!

Also, the Friends group is registering as a nonprofit corporation. Among other things, this could mean that donations to the group would be tax-deductible.

Berwyn Arts Council launches campaign to save Spindle

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:09:00 GMT

As reported in the Chicago Suburban News, the Berwyn Arts Council held a meeting on Saturday to discuss a Save-the-Spindle campaign. John Fey of the Arts Council acknowledges that keeping the sculpture in its current location is off the table, but the hope is that it can be reinstalled in another location -- ideally within Berwyn.

“If Walgreens didn’t want to be there, we wouldn’t be talking about rehabilitating the Spindle; we’d just be talking about how much poop there is on it. There wouldn’t be any impetus to change it, but here’s an opportunity because of the need to move it,” Fey said.

“At the end of this process, if it all goes the way we want it to go, we’ll end up with a beautiful piece of artwork that’s been restored, as opposed to the much maligned deteriorating piece that it is today.”

Per my own "Berwyn gap analysis," we need a decent Thai or Indian restaurant considerably more than we need a drive-thru window at that particular Walgreens.

More from John Fey on Potential Spindle Move

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:06:00 GMT

In a follow-up interview following the launch of the Save-the-Spindle campaign, Berwyn Arts Council's Jon Fey briefly alludes to moving the sculpture, not to some other Berwyn location but elsewhere in the parking lot?

Q: Where should the spindle be relocated to?

A: It definitely needs to stay in the parking lot and that’s the intention of the of the plaza owners. I believe they’re open to it. There are some money issues, but public donations might make it less. We’re in the process of raising money to get the Spindle put back up. (Fey)

Where would it go? The area currently used seasonally by Clover Garden Center?

Berwyn Mayor Likens Spindle to Chicago's Picasso

bonnie@saveourspindle.com — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:05:00 GMT

A little quote buried in the middle of Tuesday's Suburban Life article about the Berwyn Arts Council's Save the Spindle meeting is a real gem that deserves a special callout:

Berwyn Mayor Michael O’Connor, who attended the meeting, has been following the status of the iconic piece of art, which he likens to the Picasso sculpture at the Daley Center downtown.

“Picasso is downtown Chicago. They use it on logos, they use it in photographs, you know, it’s part of the icon of Chicago,” O’Connor said. “It’s the same thing for the Spindle; it’s probably photographed more than anything in Berwyn right now.”

I'm sure this is a fair analogy. I would go so far as to say the Spindle is a Chicago-area icon as well as THE Berwyn icon. CTA stations have featured "Visit the Spindle" ads, which I believe were part of an ad campaign from the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau (not the Oak Park Visitors Bureau, which serves Berwyn).