Lakeforest Sculptures Relocated to Olney Hot Spots
The iconic sculptures once gracing the grand foyers at Lakeforest Mall and installed last month at historic sites throughout Gaithersburg have now been relocated to Olney. The move comes after the Gaithersburg City Council reprimanded its town manager for making a unilateral decision to spend $47,861 to acquire and move the statuary.
The Olney Chamber of Commerce saw the sculptures as, “An incredible opportunity to fulfill our primary objective, enhancing economic development by supporting existing commercial enterprises and encouraging new business endeavor,” according to a press release.
“Combining iconic Montgomery County statuary with the Olney’s dynamic architecture and history just makes sense,” said Olney’s mayor at a dedication ceremony for the Zipper, one of four massive installations Olney moved using town reserve funds left over from the American Recovery Act.
The beloved statuary was installed this week at four sites chosen by the Olney Chamber of Commerce and approved by local business and property owners. They include the Olney House, now home to Salt & Vine restaurant; the Olney Dunkin’ Theater; the Fair Hill Shopping Center plaza; and at town’s central intersection, Georgia Avenue and Route 108.
“Monad” by Robert Perless
Olney Dunkin’ Theater is the new home to “Monad”, a 32-foot tall shiny, mirrored bladelike sculpture commissioned in 1972. The art was installed in the courtyard of the theater’s main building, the outdoor site where the summer playhouse’s first production took place in 1938.
“Zipper” by William Crovello
The massive metal “Zipper”, said to resemble a crinkle-cut french fry and visible from the former mall’s food court, now stands proudly in front of the Olney House, which recently opened as Salt & Vine restaurant. Chef Thomas Zippelli says reservations increased 50 percent since the Zipper’s installation and inspired a new french fry appetizer.
“Gap” by Buky Schwartz
The pairs of columns — one reaching up from the ground, the others mysteriously suspended above — are the latest feature at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Route 108. The upper portions are suspended from powerlines crisscrossing the thoroughfare.
“Curlicue” by Chris Byars
A red twisty installation by Chris Byars, king of shopping-mall sculpture, is now the plaza centerpiece at the Fair Hill Shopping Center. The statue was placed at the site of the center’s splash fountain, which has functioned only sporadically since 2016 and will be permanently disconnected.
