Frank Zappa statue to go near Highlandtown library
So the Public Art Committee finally found a home for that Frank Zappa statue: Outside the Southeast Anchor Library, a branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Highlandtown.
The bust of Zappa (who was born in Baltimore) will go up sometime next year, according to committee chair Anne Perkins.
"We think this is a great place for it -- a terrific neighborhood" Perkins said. "I think it will be the focal point for a lot of really fun festivals."
Here's a link to the full story.
At first, I was a little surprised at the site they chose. Highlandtown might get a decent amount of foot traffic, but probably not as much as the other sites they were considering -- such as Fells Point.
And besides the Creative Alliance, Highlandtown really isn't known for its arts and entertainment..
Then I spoke with Zappa's widow, Gail, who cleared things up for me ...
Gail said Zappa would have liked the location, because his mother, Rose Marie, was a librarian. Gail actually lobbied to have the bust placed near a city library.
"I'm thrilled," she said. "That's where he went to school, in the library. The library was a really important place for him in his teen years."
I asked her if Zappa would have even wanted a bust of himself anywhere, let alone in Baltimore, and she laughed.
"It's the ultimate bust, isn't it?," she said. "It's a beautiful, beautiful bust. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. It's stunning. It really represents Frank's character beautifully."
(Pictured is a Zappa statue in Lithuania, similar to the Baltimore statue. AP photo.)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
great! i've been wondering about the fate of this bust for over a year, it seems. i even emailed one of the members of the public art committee but they never responded. i even used capital letters in my email.
Posted by: johnny dollar | December 17, 2009 3:26 PM
Awesome! Never been to this location, but it sounds like a proper place for such a great bust (and artist). RIP, Frank...you're missed.
Posted by: Rob K. | December 18, 2009 2:31 AM
I just hope the library lays in a good collection of Zappiana.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 18, 2009 10:06 AM
As a huge Zappa fan and Lithuanian I'm disappointed in the location. Wasn't it supposed to be fells point?
Are that many people really going to visit a statue in front of a library at a random intersection vs. a location that gets a ton of traffic every day?
Posted by: EL | December 18, 2009 11:10 AM
This should have been put up in Baltimore County. Franks mom lived at the top of my street in Arbutus years later. Frank would visit there, we would stand on my friend porch with amazement that Frank Zappa was right across the street. How cool is that?
Posted by: DC | December 18, 2009 2:29 PM
December 21, 2008 was "Frank Zappa Day" in Baltimore.
http://www.zappa.com/whatsnew/images/2008/zappa_proc2008.pdf
Will it observed again this year?
The AP story on The Bust, which includes in the second article The following state
"A Lithuanian fan club erected the Zappa statue in the Lithuanian capital, and last year donated a replica to Baltimore, the singer's birthplace."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i-rceSmLisDeE7_nXaykUFbyMAcQD9CL9JKG6
The Rolling Stone article from 2002 on the original Bust
"Zappa Lives on in Lithuania: A story of a guitarist, a fan club, a bluff and a statue"
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5934313/zappa_lives_on_in_lithuania
Posted by: GDA | December 20, 2009 1:33 PM
THIS STINKS LIKE FISH!
Such BS.
I photographed Frank and the Mothers playing in the Eastern HS auditorium in 67.
"He would have liked it because his mother was a librarian",
Phooey!!!
This statue deserved to be in front of the Meyerhoff.
I personally spoke with people involved. Grew up in Highlandtown.
Frank deserved so much more from Baltimore.
And, it's not even up yet.
It's not too late.
Give this musical genius his just due.
Posted by: M Maltese | March 8, 2010 2:11 PM
Hey! What's new in Baltimore?
How 'bout that bust to erect?
Less than 20 years after his death? I am amazed!!! Well done Baltimore!
Posted by: Jaroslav | September 7, 2010 7:04 AM
Has this been actually erected yet?
Posted by: GDA | September 7, 2010 8:01 PM
GDA,
The pedestal is up, and the lights have been installed.
There are workers there now with a crane. It looks like they'll be finished by the 19th.
Posted by: RayRay | September 8, 2010 11:45 AM