Artist: Rubins, Nancy
Title/Year: Big Bill Bored 1980
Dimensions: 40' high
Materials: Discarded objectsof an industrial society embedded in concrete
Year: 1980
From: O.K. Harris Gallery
Owner: Cermak Plaza
Location: Cermak Plaza, Berwyn, IL
Exhibited at:
Comments: In 1990 a referendum of Berwyn voters showed that 79% voted to remove it, even though the piece would be destroyed by such removal. However, in a larger population analysis by the Gallup Org. made at the same time as the public vote, 51% of the people surveyed indicated their desire that the sculpture be retained. Since my agreement with the public officials was that both their referendum and the Gallop poll indicate more than 50% had to be in favor of its removal for me to do it. It was retained. Democracy! Five years later, when the alderman of the area arranged that the city would permit us to replace our center's facade and obtain $500,000 from city sales taxes but only if we removed Big Bill Bored. He stated his constituents complained vociferously about the piece. For $500,000 I'd take down my Grandmother. It was destroyed. The artist hasn't talked to me since 1990, the original vote!