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Anthem
Artist: Paul Villinski Second-floor
reception area Installed: 2012
Madam C.J. Walker II
Artist: Sonya Clark Second-floor
reception area Installed: 2012
THE ALEXANDER, INDIANAPOLIS
The collection of public art installed at The Alexander in downtown Indianapolis — more than 50 works by more than 25 contemporary artists, including 14 site-specific commis- sions — has impeccable credentials. Curated by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Alexander’s art program includes the work of both regional and international artists, includ- ing Jorge Pardo, a recipient of a MacArthur Genius Grant.
But it doesn’t take itself too seriously. “It’s meant to be accessible,” said Marcus Barlow, a spokesman for The Alexander.
The murals installed in the parking garage, by British grafiti artist Nick Walker, are some- times mistaken for the work of a very talented vandal, Barlow said. Other lighthearted works on the hotel’s second-floor meeting-room level include a large-scale portrait of Amer- ica’s first female self-made millionaire, C.J. Walker, who once operated a beauty-products empire in Indianapolis, constructed from 3,840 black plastic hair combs. Another piece, Anthem, features vinyl records — including some by Indiana musicians — heated and reshaped into a flock of vinyl birds.
48 PCMA CONVENE OCTOBER 2013
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