Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Robots are Coming!

This was the message surrounding Ragtag Cinema’s digital projector conversion campaign in 2012. “Lumen,” the 8-foot tall robot sculpture and mascot built by artist Greg Orloff for the campaign, was donated by Ragtag Cinema to the City of Columbia in 2013. An unveiling ceremony for Columbia’s newest piece of public art will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at the visitors center in City Hall.


“Lumen” was created entirely from found objects, and artist Greg Orloff hopes the sculpture can represent all that makes up a community like Columbia.

“‘Lumen’ embodies the cumulative efforts of an entire community with differing backgrounds, experiences, educations, perspectives and lifestyles. Made up of the dirty, broken-down discards of obsolete, forgotten technologies, ‘Lumen’ stands as a shining beacon of Columbia’s endeavors and successes,” Orloff said.

A permanent home was needed for “Lumen,” which led Ragtag’s Executive Director Tracy Lane to propose gifting the art to the city.

“Donating ‘Lumen’ to the city is our artful way to extend our thanks to our community,” Lane said.

“Lumen” was accepted by the Commission on Cultural Affairs and City Council in 2013, and the sculpture is now part of the city’s permanent collection of public art.

 The sculpture will be housed at the visitors center in the lobby of City Hall.

“We are very excited to have ‘Lumen’ greet visitors and employees in City Hall,” said Megan McConachie, public information specialist at the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “‘Lumen’ is a great representation of Columbia’s commitment to the arts.”

For additional information, contact Sarah Dresser, program specialist at the Office of Cultural Affairs, at 573-874-6387 or sedresse@GoColumbiaMo.com.