BLACKHEART Cleveland

In conjunction with their 90th Anniversary Celebration in October, Merrick House in Tremont will be holding a public auction of Scott Radke’s cement pieces on the corner of West 11th and University.  A few months ago, when the lot went up for sale, there was a lot of concern and a whole lot of rumor as to what was going to be done with these great examples of Scott’s early work.

I found out from former Merrick House director, Gail Long, that the lot was gifted to the organization in ‘72 or ‘73 by a now long gone bank in the Slavic Village area.   A few years after that, Ohio Bell donated the money for a ubiquitous 1970’s tot lot.  Years progressed, kids grew up and moved away, and all that remained of the Ohio Bell donation were the solid round cement shapes that were originally designed for climbing, sitting, and checking out that great view of the city.  Cut to 10 years ago, and the then emerging, now internationally known artist, Radke, was painting on various natural billboards all over the neighborhood, including garages and the outside walls of businesses. Scott and Merrick House partnered, and the murals still stand today, representing that wild, renegade type of art that doesn’t exist much anymore.  ( See The Temple of  Lost Love.)

As mentioned, Scott has developed an international following. This could make for some great auction.  I am excited and curious to see who antes up on these.  Ideally, they should stay in Cleveland.  It  would be remarkable to have them remain in Tremont.