S is for Storytelling.
Plaque inscription:
"The Storyteller
Frank Fleming, artist
Born Bear Creek, Alabama, 1940
Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art
Storytelling is a deeply rooted southern heritage. The animals are listening
to a story intended to convey the idea of a peaceable kingdom.
Fleming's deep respect for the dignity and honesty found in nature
is symbolized in these figures."
Frank Fleming, artist
Born Bear Creek, Alabama, 1940
Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art
Storytelling is a deeply rooted southern heritage. The animals are listening
to a story intended to convey the idea of a peaceable kingdom.
Fleming's deep respect for the dignity and honesty found in nature
is symbolized in these figures."
In the late 1980's, I had the opportunity to watch this sculpture in various stages of being cast at the foundry of Birmingham artist, Brad Morton. There is ram-man, a bronze figure with the head of a ram and a human-like body sitting on a stump, holding an open book in one hand and a staff with an owl perched atop the staff in his other hand. Circled around the seated reader is an assortment of animals, listening attentively to the storyteller. I personally like that the artist put the deer sitting atop the dog and the hare sitting atop the turtle, as it reminds me of the lion and the lamb together.
When we starting hearing that locals were expressing concerns that the sculpture somehow represented "satanism", we couldn't believe it! Apparently, some believed that the sculpture's main figure (the head of a goat on a human body) represented Satan and the five frogs represented a pentagram. There were rumors of early morning animal sacrifices at the site of the sculpture. Alabama - let's pause and shake our heads collectively.
The Birmingham Museum of Art, who commissioned the work, stated there have been no documented cases of animal sacrifices.The sculpture has become a gathering place, particularly for the area's homeless who are said to be protective of the sculpture and of the ram-man specifically. It is reported that they call him Bob.
Frank Fleming has a similar sculpture in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Georgia also named "The Storyteller". There, the ram-man is known as The Buck Man. Atlanta is just over a two-hour drive Birmingham. As far as I know, there have been no animal sacrifices in the wee hours at this sculpture either.
S is for Storyteller. ABC Wednesday is hosted by Denise at mrsnesbittspace.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my ABC Wednesday virtual friends!
7 comments:
Some people do get some pretty wild and crazy ideas about anything that is remotely "different"! Both fountains are delightful and thank you so much for the history. Great captures and a very interesting post!
Glad to know there have been no known sacrifices made!!
Enjoy the rest of your week and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sylvia
I love that sculpture. And some people see the worst of things in the best of things. Shake of the head indeed!
Sylvia - To know the early history of the artist also helps to better understand his work. I think it is delightful, also.
Mara - There are enough real problems in our world without imagining more. I'm glad you like it, as I do.
the sculptures are beautiful.. if only people would take the time to look more deeply :)
I seem to recall similar problems with the Procter & Gamble's logo -0 people will find satanism, witchcraft etc where they want to see it. SIGH.
People can be quite strange. The bronzes are superb and your narrative is special in its detail. Nice post.
What interesting sculptures. Some people have very weird minds and live in their own strange worlds but I would rather live in one that can produce beautiful things like that.
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