Scioto Lounge I At the River (Sitting Deer)
- Bronze
- Terry Allen
The sculptures were installed by artist Terry Allen in 2015 as a part of a rehabilitation project that turned the Scioto Mile into a multi-use park and trail. The artist came up with the concept after visiting the city and learning that the Scioto River takes its name from the Shawnee word for “hairy water.” According to local legend, when the Shawnee first migrated to the Scioto River valley from the Carolinas, they found deer hair floating in the river.
Allen used forms from a taxidermist to model the deer, but added joints in the arms and legs to make them appear more human-like. Multiple molds were cut and formed to pose the deer in human positions. The artist hand detailed each deer in wax and the bronzes were made using the lost wax method.
This deer is a buck, seated on the top center amphitheater seating step facing the east bank of the Scioto River. The deer is seated with his legs slightly spread, head oriented to the river. Proper right arm is straight and slightly extended beyond mid point of proper right thigh. Proper left arm is straight and slightly extended at midpoint of proper left knee. Front hooves rest on step and rear hooves rest on grass at base of seating step.
- Created: 2014
- Current Location: Genoa Park (google map)
- Collections: Outdoor, Sculptures