City of Tampa Public Art Installation Once Controversial, Now a Forerunner

Our thanks to 83 degrees media, long a supporter of the arts, for their March 19 article on public art installations, “Public art in roundabouts helps calm traffic, create sense of place.”

The article highlights art in traffic roundabouts and its benefits to the community. A shortage of funds often makes it difficult for communities to purchase, install and, over the long term, maintain such installations. The City of Tampa’s Art Programs Division was at the forefront of this when they installed the so-called “exploding chicken” sculpture in downtown Tampa. The sculpture was actually untitled by the artist, George Sugarman.

George Sugarman, artist
George Sugarman art installation; photo by George Cott

Sugarman was interested in space and how an object impacted one

Share this post