In this artwork, how is the Description and history discussed?
The Portland sculpture is one of seven casts of John Seward Johnson II's Allow Me. It was designed and completed by Johnson in 1983 and is constructed from bronze, aluminum and stainless steel. In 1984, the sculpture was donated anonymously, but in the name of Harry H. Schwartz, to the City of Portland and dedicated for display at Pioneer Courthouse Square. This square is one of the most popular and often visited squares in the state of Oregon. In 2004 the square was named the fourth best public square in the world by New York's Project for Public Spaces. Allow Me is situated on the south side of the Square just above the amphitheatre and is seen as welcoming visitors there. The sculpture depicts a life-sized man dressed in a business suit, "hurrying across the square" and hailing a cab. He holds an umbrella, which some people have interpreted as an offering. He wears a watch and a rhubarb-colored tie; his index finger points towards the Meier & Frank Building, adjacent to the Square. Allow Me measures 82" x 45" x 50" and weighs 460 pounds. The sculpture is part of the City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection courtesy of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. It is one of many works of art generated by Portland's Percent for Art program.In July 1995, the sculpture was removed from its pedestal and shipped to Stellar Artworks in Van Nuys, California for cleaning and restoration. It received a glassbead peening to remove the effects of birds, human hands, pollution and precipitation, plus a coat of incralac, a lacquer-based acrylic resin coating. The restoration was funded by an anonymous donor and involved Art Work Fine Art Services, Industrial Craters & Packers, O'Neill Transfer Co., Smith Masonry Contractors and the Regional Arts & Culture Council. This marked the sculpture's first restoration since 1985. Allow Me receives cold wax coatings each year to maintain its shine.The sculpture has been used as a reference point for gatherings. There have been instances when the sculpture was used to make a statement or act as a prop. In 2011, Occupy Portland demonstrators outfitted Allow Me with a peace sign, a Guy Fawkes mask and a "We are the 99%" sign.The statue was vandalized in 2020.
Regional Arts & Culture Council Allow Me John Seward Johnson II We are the 99% peace sign Van Nuys acrylic resin peening lacquer Pioneer Courthouse Square pounds Occupy Portland Guy Fawkes mask Meier & Frank Building John Seward Johnson I