Salt and Pepper (Longfellow)Bridge

Cod or Scrod?

Yet again the goal to post about women artists with work on Boston Public Art Walk has led me to suddenly see what’s  been in plain sight so long, in this case since 1985. That year Kate K. Burke and Gregg LeFevre inlaid more than one hundred bronze relief tablets throughout the brick walkway of one historic lane in downtown Boston. Enduring the impact of all sorts of weather and footwear, most of the tablets still radiate their burnished engaging designs, including significant words and numbers.

A Few Firsts

These and other ‘firsts’ link Boston with inventions, institutions, sports and arts beyond the city of Boston.

“The first post office in Boston—and probably in the first in America—was established in the home of Richard Fairbanks, on or very near the site of the [old] Boston Globe building in 1639.”

“Mr. Watson, come here — I want to see you.” “Those words uttered by Alexander Graham Bell on March 10, 1876 ushered in the age of telephony.”

“The first confirmed glove use was by Charlie Waitt, a St. Louis outfielder and first baseman who, in 1875, donned a pair of flesh-colored gloves.”

“The oldest and largest event of its kind in the country, it inspired dozens of similar festivals across the country and pumped millions into the local economy.”

“The first wooden peg golf tee was invented and patented by Dr. George Grant of Boston. “

“Elias Howe invented the first American sewing machine in 1845, patented the following year.”

Captions for photos are from various Google searches for the above “firsts” in Boston history.

A Few Favorites

I selected the tablets below to show how the artists utilized the standard brick rectangle form in creative ways, gracefully incorporating details and patterns.

Skull Race (two of three skulls shown here)

Newspapers in Boston’s history. “… the history progression of newspapers fonts was acquired from microfilm in the basement of the Boston Library, before computers (research was very different).”

Lobster Line “to emphasize that lobsters do walk in a line…and they are walking away from Boston! “

..”the “ivy” brick was to commemorate the hallowed halls of ivy ever present around Boston.”

“The finials for the cast iron fences are the designs used in the small parks/ graveyards around the Commons.”

Franklin Park Zoo

Captions for the six photos above include quotes from email responses from Kate Burke to questions I had asked about the titles. They suggest the complex process behind each piece in the project.

Walking Winthrop Lane

A Boston tour guide suggests making Winthrop Lane part of a regular routine stroll, pausing to appreciate a different tablet each time. Intrigued by the fun and facts they’ve given me so far, I will plan to do that!

In Downtown Boston, bridging Otis and Arch Streets is a narrow pedestrian walkway called Winthrop Lane.

This exemplification of Boston’s characteristically skewed streetscape, narrow throughways and one-way passages is a quaint walk-through for pedestrians strolling through the heart of the Financial District.

Adding to its appeal is a public art installment aptly called Boston Bricks, which inlays the brick path with bronze reliefs that showcase some of the city’s most historically significant individuals and events …

…like Paul Revere and the Boston Tea Party, for example.

Comprised of over 100 pieces, this work by Kate Burke and Gregg Lefevre funded by the Browne Fund and A. W. Perry and Ryan Associates, is arguably Winthrop Lane’s most attractive feature.

Refurbishing Winthrop Lane without jeopardizing the Boston Bricks would dually benefit the space itself and passersby.

Captions for the six photos above are quoted from Nick DeLuca’s article: Refurbishing Winthrop Lane Would Help Enliven Downtown Boston.

“An important lesson in working in public art is that you are always doing the unexpected. A project rarely comes along the same way twice, so you are required to figure out how to get things done, which is my specialty!” ( quote from a statement by Kate Burke about another public art project, Minneapolis Manhole Covers.) 

UPDATE: MY THANKS TO KATE BURKE

Kate Burke responded to an earlier version of this post with valuable perspective, information, and careful photo adjustments I have incorporated in this current version.  Also she supplied the photos below,  from earlier dates, of tablets that are now missing or damaged. They are evidence of the need for funding to restore Boston Bricks!

Combat Zone in Boston Bricks by Kate Burke and gregg Lefevre

George Washington or Paul Revere?

You Are Here

Links to Resources

Kate K. Burke artist website   “From bronze bricks in Boston to artistic manhole covers in downtown Minneapolis, Kate Burke has a recognized career in both public art and painting, listed in the Smithsonian Archives of Painting and Sculpture. Predominantly a relief carver and painter, she has had commissions from the Minnesota State Arts Council and the Cities of Minneapolis and Boston working in cast iron, bronze and painted cast carvings.” ( Quoted excerpt is from artist’s website homepage. )

Photos of Boston Bricks on Kate K. Burke website   The artist’s photos are more clear and consistent in palette than my own photos.

Boston Art Commission Public Art Walk listing for Boston Bricks, including map link

Article by Nick DeLuca (Bostinno, August 17, 2015) Refurbishing Winthrop Lane Would Help Enliven Downtown Boston

Smithsonian Institution Collections of Sculpture by Kate Burke

Museum Without Walls: Boston Bricks includes podcast with commentary by Gregg LeFevre

Gregg LeFevre artist website  “Since graduating with a degree in philosophy, installation artist/photographer Gregg LeFevre has created over 120 site-specific public artworks in cast metal that provide insight about the nature and character of particular places. He often uses cast relief images and text to illustrate the traits that contribute to the unique personality of a place. His works can be found underfoot in all types of pedestrian spaces, from plazas, parks, bike paths and trails, to lobbies and arcades.” (quote from homepage of artist’s website)