Spindle (sculpture)

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Spindle

Dustin Shuler, 1989

Assemblage, height 1500 cm, 600 in

Berwyn, Illinois, Cermak Plaza

Spindle was a sculpture created in 1989 by artist Dustin Shuler. It consisted of a 50 foot spike with eight cars impaled on it.^[1] It was located in the parking lot of Cermak Plaza shopping center, at the corner of Cermak Road and Harlem Avenue (Illinois Route 43) in Berwyn, Illinois, and was commissioned by the shopping center owner, David Bermant, who donated his BMW car to be placed second from the top of the sculpture.^[2] It was dismantled on May 2, 2008.^[3]

The foundation of the sculpture reached nearly 30 feet into the ground; the cost of erecting it was over $75,000.^[4] The sculpture has been featured in the film Wayne's World, on the cover of a book,^[5] and on postcards, state tourist brochures, and maps. On August 28, 2007, it was featured in the syndicated comic strip Zippy the Pinhead.^[6]

The impaled cars on the spindle, from top to bottom, were:

1. 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, red
2. 1976 BMW New Class, silver License Plate reads "DAVE"
3. 1981 Ford Escort, blue
4. 1974 or 1973 Mercury Capri, green
5. 1978 Ford Mustang, white over blue
6. 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix, maroon or burgundy
7. 1980 or 1979 Ford LTD, light yellow
8. 1981 or 1979 Mercury, black

Throughout its existence the sculpture was controversial amongst Berwyn residents, and in 1990 they voted overwhelmingly for it to be removed.^[7] However, the mayor of Berwyn described the sculpture as "icon in our community",^[7] and Bermant claimed that the shopping center received 30% more business than comparable shopping centers due to the quirky art around the center.^[2]

In July 2007, it was announced that the shopping center was to be redeveloped and that the site of the sculpture was earmarked for a new Walgreens store. Cermak Plaza already had a Walgreens, but it lacked a drive-thru window. There was debate as to whether the sculpture should be relocated or simply removed due to the high cost of relocation (estimated at over $350,000). The uncertain future of the sculpture again sparked disagreement between residents who viewed it as a Berwyn landmark and those who viewed it as an eyesore. ^[3][8]

On July 27, 2007, Chicago Critical Mass participants rode to Spindle in an effort to raise awareness of the sculpture. About 2,000 cyclists made the 14.8 mile trek from Daley Plaza in The Loop in support of the artwork.^[9]

On August 1, 2007, radio station WLUP interviewed the Berwyn mayor; the main topic of discussion was Spindle. He stated that the sculpture's removal had been pushed to September 2007, and that it would most likely be moved down the street.

The sculpture was made available for purchase in an eBay auction,^[10] which ended April 17, 2008 with no bids.

On May 2, 2008, Robinette Demolition disassembled Spindle. A large crowd stood near the site taking pictures. The top two cars were removed from the spike by a crane, and stored for future use. The base of the spindle was then cut, and the spindle (along with the remaining cars) was pushed over with a crane. If sufficient funds can be raised, a new Spindle – featuring the old top two cars – may be erected.^[11][12]

[edit] See also

• Cadillac Ranch
• Carhenge

[edit] References

Coordinates: 41°50′59″N 87°48′05″W / 41.8497, -87.8014