Scioto Lounge II On the Bridge
- Bronze
- 84 x 23 x 48 in
- 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.
The single bronze deer fabricated in the same manner and by the same artist as Scioto Lounge I- At the Park. It is an eight point buck standing upright in a relaxed manner on its hind legs with its front legs resting on the north rail of the westbound lane on the Rich Street Bridge. Its proper right front leg has its elbow resting on the bridge rail, its proper right hoof hanging over the rail at a right angle. Its proper left front leg is oriented right, in front of the torso and angled downward with no bend in the joint before theproper left hoof. The torso of the deer lounges on the bridge rail, slight angled to its proper right (torso curves to proper right between hips and shoulders. Theneck of the deer slightly leans toward its proper right. the head of the deer corrects slightly to its proper left, angled toward the Scioto River and the east river bank. The piece is secured to the sidewalk in front of the deer by its back hoofs and two the rail by having its arms secured to a stainless steel clamp used to prevent damage to the bridge rail. Note: Since the deer was installed "Love Locks" have been appearing in front of the sculpture. They are affixed to the bridge screening. DPS has been notified of the locks.
- Created: 2015
- Current Location: Rich Street Bridge (google map)
- Collections: Outdoor, Sculptures