this example of wpa art (one of thousands of depression era projects) was created by 32 year old waylande gregory and unveiled in 1938. you can find it in roosevelt park in edison, nj. in the center, stands a 15 foot tall pillar, circled with what is intended to represent the 'good' in society: science, industry and education, which 'dispell' the evils of society: war, famine, pestilence, death, greed and materialism (repesented by statues surrounding the base of the fountain).
the founatin had been recently restored in 2004, but because the faes have already begun to crack and the paint flake away, giving it a bit of an eerie feel. on the day of my visit, the fountain was dry with no water running, so i was able to get up close and personal with the creepiest of sculptures i have ever seen in person. when you visit, make sure you take a few minutes to examine each sculpture. art is subjective, of course so each of us will walk away with a different opinion/experience. it made me sort of melancoly to imagine what one was feeling while living through the depression. how difficult it had been just to survive. and even though it doesn't really need more personality, the crumbling appearance just adds to it's charm.
i personally feel like it represents what the artist is trying to convey. not that society is crumbling, but the evils are...that by expelling them, they are no longer able to feed off society, so they are are sick and perishing. they are sad and wailing and fearful of what is to become of them. the sun was shining when i first began to make my way around to examine each sculpture and by the time i was finished, it was raining and i was forced to run to my car for shelter. appropriate.
if you have and questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. make sure you stop by my facebook and instagram pages for more photos. on to my next adventure...
