—Cincinnati’s iconic flying pigs need your help
Iconic statues journey from public art controversy to unofficial city mascot
Cincinnati’s iconic flying pigs need your help
Iconic statues journey from public art controversy to unofficial city mascot
One of the city's best-known pieces of public art, the "flying pigs" of Bicentennial Commons, is in need of restoration.
The public artwork was not immediately embraced by Cincinnatians years ago.
Andrew Leicester is the artist who gave us Cincinnati's gateway at Bicentennial Commons, featuring smokestacks topped by the winged pigs that have become the city's unofficial mascot.
The project has its roots in the city's 1988 bicentennial celebration.
"The directive that came from the Cincinnati foundation was to make an artwork that celebrated the 200-year history of the city," Leicester said.
He took inspiration from the river, the Miami-Erie Canal and the city's pork processing past.
The flying pigs are like "pig angels," according to the artist.
"They're up there singing the 'Hallelujah' chorus over all of their dead brethren that gave their life to the foundation of the great city of Cincinnati," Leicester said.
This was long before the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon or the "Big Pig Gig" art statues graced the streets of Cincinnati.
At the time, people mocked the pigs and questioned why the city would embrace the Porkopolis title.
But public art is about starting a conversation and building a civic identity.
Slowly, it seems, we have all gotten in on the joke.
"Cincinnati has got probably one of the most successful public artworks in the country," Leicester said.
Bicentennial Commons and the flying pigs themselves have seen better days. A fundraising effort is underway to raise $1 million for renovations.
Leicester is back in town, with an exhibit of his art, and a new flying pig piece that will be auctioned off Tuesday night at the Weston Art Gallery. The "Save the Pigs Party" runs from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
The exhibit showcasing the pigs and Leicester's art runs through Sunday at the Weston Art Gallery.
You can donate to the renovation effort through the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
