A set of larger-than-life sculptures will be installed sometime in 2025 in the deck area of the newly reopened Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. Visitors will see these cast aluminum humanoid figures among the tables and chairs adjacent to South Main Street.
On Dec. 9, Annie Wischmeyer and Richard Rogers from Curated Storefront presented an overview of the project to the Akron Public Art Commission.
The Akron Marathon Charitable Corp., which is funding the project, selected Rotterdam-based artist Joep van Lieshout to create a set of sculptures that reflect the emotions experienced by runners at the popular annual Akron event. (In 2024, the Akron Marathon, Half-Marathon and Relay drew more than 8,000 athletes and 100,000 spectators to the city.)
The installation of the sculptures coincides with the marathon moving the finish line from Canal Park to Lock 3 in 2025.
The Running Humanoid sculptures will evoke different phases of runners’ emotions. “The Runner,” one of the planned statues, is a light-footed figure full of energy and just starting their race. Other figures will evoke determination and tiredness.
The sculptures will be marine-grade cast aluminum, minimizing the impact of vandalism and requiring no maintenance. Lieshout’s sculptures will feature a seating area, encouraging people to sit, interact and take photos.
van Lieshout is a multimedia artist whose works are on display internationally. His work reflects his interest in nature, humanity and industry. Akron’s industrial past will factor into Lieshout’s figures for Lock 3. He began sculpting humanoid figures in 2015 — Miami Beach, Florida, is home to a set of nine humanoid figures commissioned by the city in 2019.
The APAC voted in favor of the project 4-1. During discussion after the project’s approval, commissioner and visual artist Jessica Travis, who voted against it, raised questions about public input on the artwork selection.
“The public should have more input and more say,” she said, on artwork being installed on public sites, regardless of the funding source. Travis also highlighted the importance of providing educational opportunities to the public to learn more about the artworks.
Commission secretary John Fiume, the executive director and CEO of the Akron Art Museum, noted the significance of the collection of public artworks being curated at Lock 3.
The commissioners agreed on the need for a public communication strategy to tell the story of the art and artists involved in Lock 3’s collection of public art created by internationally known artists. Partners including ArtsNow, Curated Storefront, Akron Civic Theatre and the Downtown Akron Partnership could help share a narrative that reflects how artworks have been chosen and what they represent to Akron as a whole.
Curious about other artworks planned for Lock 3? Read about the recent APAC approval of a piece by New York artist Chakaia Booker.
