self-proclaimed cultural mongrel
When I was an undergrad at the University of Oklahoma, the campus art museum installed a seven-foot fiberglass sculpture of a horse in front of the art museum. The sculpture, Mesteño by Luis Jimenez, was particularly striking at night when its red eyes glowed. Of course, more than a few people thought an airbrushed fiberglass horse with lightbulbs for eyes was a little tacky, especially when it sat on a particularly prominent corner of campus. My friend Aaron even performed a prank mocking the sculpture. I thought the sculpture was great, though, I loved that OU had installed some challenging art and the negative response it received. It provoked discussions of taste and white privilege on campus. While people may not have articulated their reactions in the most sensitive ways, Jimenez certainly succeeded in provoking a discussion about art on campus
I learned today that Jimenez died Tuesday while working on a piece. A chunk of the sculpture he was building fell and cut an artery in leg, leaving him to bleed to death. He was working on another giant horse, this one for the Denver airport. I’m saddened to hear this news, since I found his work moving and added much to my undergrad experience. It’s a pity there won’t be more of his work for the world to enjoy.
