Giant Neon Sculpture Designed by Dirk Arnold (facing north)

Recently installation was completed on one of Tucson’s new public art sculptures designed by local artist Dirk Arnold.  The Neon sculpture, titled “Gateway Saguaro,” is 30 feet tall and is located in the median near Oracle/Adams.

In 1937, what is now Oracle Road from today’s Miracle Mile to Drachman was the first divided highway in Arizona, with roundabouts at both ends. Because of the wide medians, it was considered to be very safe and was called the Miracle Mile of Safety by Arizona Highways. It was part of the main motor route through Tucson, US Routes 80 and 89. The public sculpture project is part of the Oracle/Main/Drachman intersection reconfiguration, which removed the final remaining roundabout that gave the area its name.

After I-10 opened, the area fell into decline and Miracle Mile became synonymous with drugs and prostitution in the minds of many. In the late 70′s the road was renamed to Oracle as a result of that stigma.

The design of the sculpture is homage to the neon signs of the motels and restaurants along the Miracle Mile, a number of which remain. After the Ye Olde Lantern sign came down the artist, Dirk Arnold, felt like the area had lost an iconic image, and wanted the public art he created to be of a similar scale to replace that loss. The Saguaro is an iconic image of Tucson because the city is bracketed by two units of a national park dedicated to the preservation of the Saguaro.

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Andy With Ten Gallon Hat PHOTO: Bob Broder 1968

“Warhol: From Dylan to Duchamp,” the unseen work of Tucson photographer Bob Broder, will be on exhibition at the Eric Firestone Downtown Gallery starting February 27^th.

Eric Kroll, a TASCHEN photo book editor, and gallery owner Eric Firestone, curated the exhibition.  The show combines 28 of the greatest photographers of our time – – Dennis Hopper, Helmut Newton, Nat Finkelstein, Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibovitz, Robert Mapplethorpe, Billy Name, Bob Broder, Bob Adelman, Gerard Malanga, Anton Perich, Michael Tighe, Patrick McMullan and others. This inside look into the wonderful Age of Warhol showcases a rare assemblage of color, and black-and-white original prints, including a prestigious body of work on loan from the Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection.

Kroll, who also lives in Tucson, recently discovered Broder’s Mother lode of Sixties Warhol images — never-before-seen, black-and-whites of the artist filming his Underground sex-Western, “Lonesome Cowboys.”  The film was shot in 1968 at Old Tucson Studios and Rancho Linda Vista in the city of Oracle.  Critics consider “Cowboys” the precursor to “Brokeback Mountain.”

Broder, a former chief photographer of the University of Arizona stated: “I haven’t looked at those negatives in over 40 years. I was a stringer for The Arizona Republic back in the sixties.  I drove my ’65 Mustang with the white, vinyl top to the Old Tucson set. It was a non-union production, so I didn’t get booted out…besides, I knew the sheriff.  I remember [Warhol] didn’t say much. And, he had high heels. He didn’t bother me, and I didn’t bother him.”

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There will be a large community Rummage Sale this Saturday, February 20^th to help save the Gloo Factory in the historic warehouse district. The Sale will be held at The Art Gallery at 1122 N. Stone Avenue. (Near Stone and Speedway Blvd.) Hours: 8am-2pm

The Gloo Factory (named for the “gloo” that keeps community together) began almost twenty years ago with the acquisition of two offset printing presses, and has evolved into a significant community resource. It now offers offset printing, screen-printing, graphic arts services, and technical assistance and education. The Gloo Factory produces books, newsletters, bumper stickers, signs and banners, t-shirts and much more, almost exclusively for non-profit groups and progressive causes.

As a community-oriented facility, The Gloo Factory’s 4000-square-foot rented warehouse has become a center of activity for grassroots groups. In addition to providing printing and related services, The Gloo Factory provides workshops, classes, and other training to give people the knowledge (and encouragement) they need to produce their own printed materials.

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