The city’s Board of Zoning Appeals gave the artwork installation, titled Gavin – Divergence, the green light Tuesday night.
INDIANAPOLIS — A proposed piece of artwork at the center of debate is one step closer to installation in Broad Ripple.
Gavin-Divergence is a 30-foot-tall LED sculpture created by Indiana-born artist Jason Myers using metal, recycled scrap steel and other building materials. It represents “the divergence of history, culture and community, celebrating Broad Ripple’s ongoing commitment to artistic expression, human connection and the unity found in its diversity,” the team said in a press release.
It will stand on a 2 1/2-foot-tall base and weigh approximately two tons.
On Tuesday, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the variance petition to provide for the installation at the intersection of College Avenue and Westfield Boulevard.
“It looks like it’s going to be interesting,” said Kelsey Ebbert, who works down the street. “It looks strange in my opinion, but I’m all for art in the Broad Ripple area.”
“I like the artwork,” said Charlotte Fisher, a resident of 27 years. “It will be nice to have it lit up. It’ll be a destination where people will say, ‘Oh, look at that.’”
Fisher is glad to see people making an investment in the Broad Ripple community.
Gavin-Divergence is funded by a donation from the Birge Family Foundation. It will also be part of a partnership with the Broad Ripple Village Association, Indy Art Center and The Penrod Society.
The plans do not involve any impacts to the existing tree or traffic signal box, according to the Board of Zoning Appeals agenda. However, the changeable copy sign will be removed from the intersection and a light pole will be relocated.
Robert and Mary Beth St. John just moved to the area and hadn’t heard of the sculpture proposal, but enjoy public art.
“I think it adds to the pedestrian experience and adds to the character of a neighborhood,” Robert said.
The artwork has gained traction on NextDoor with some calling it “creepy,” “ugly” and “distracting.”
“I think a different spot could be better, just because I do consider this area a pretty big intersection in Broad Ripple, so something that large and distracting might be kind of unusual,” Ebbert said.
Fisher finds the NextDoor posts frustrating.
“I’m happy about it, it will be a good thing for Broad Ripple,” she said.
The team behind Gavin-Divergence said their next step is to receive the proper permits from the city, which they say is already underway. Once those are secured, they can install the sculpture.