Big in 2006: Benches?

This summer it all started with the mystery bench that showed up at Jamaica Pond. The mystery was revealed by artist Matthew Hincman who had installed the bench. It was removed, reinstalled, and removed again following the JP Open Studios. It made mention again earlier this month when the Phoenix named it to their year in art list. Mentioned in the tenth "last but not least" catch-all category as the Best Unofficial Art Pretending To Be Official.

Somerville must have liked the idea. In Union Square new benches are showing up. The Somerville Arts Council commissioned a set of benches and public fixtures to be created and installed by local artists. Kimo Griggs has installed a bench that's far more user friendly than the one Matthew Hincman installed at Jamaica Pond. The Somerville Journal reports that it was a little too user friendly for the local skateboarders who quickly (and we're sure unintentionally) degraded the front edge of the bench. Griggs had to take the bench and fit it with some ornamental details that would prevent a smooth skid by the boarders. With the appearance, disappearance, reappearance, and installation, and decommissioning it's hard to say that benches are having the best year ever in the greater Boston area – maybe 2007 will be the big year for benches.

Image of the bench at Jamaica Pond courtesy Flickr user tritium