Communities Come Together to Celebrate Pittsburgh Hero
PITTSBURGH - Larger-than-life sculptures of Joe Magarac take over Market Square as 4th River presents Magarac Attack. Curated by Artist Upstairs' Tavia LaFollette, Magarac Attack is a celebration of Pittsburgh folk-hero Joe Magarac, the superhuman steel worker, springing from ideas about both the icon and the communy imaginations that he engaged. Magarac Attack opens at Market Square on Saturday, June 14, 2008, and runs through June 20.
Joe Magarac's impressive feats place him in the company of other famous American folk heroes, like John Henry. According to one legend, the eastern European steel worker could work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, doing the work of 29 men. "He was a sort of patron saint of steel workers, credited with suddenly appearing to save the lives of mill-workers in peril," said curator and participating artist LaFollette. "But 'magarac' also means 'jackass' in Polish, so he's a bit of a controversial character. Magarac Attack is about re-inventing the legend."
To create Magarac Attack, LaFollette and collaborators conducted community workshops in Lawrenceville, Braddock, Homestead and the Hill District to gather ideas about the folk icon. The resultant art will incorporate puppetry, sculpture and other media from different artists to honor Joe Magarac's legend and the steel workers who made Pittsburgh the city it is today. The installation will feature work from Pittsburgh artists Emory Biko, Michelle Gregio, LaFollete and the Braddock Youth Project, the team of artists Debbie Bobeck and Kirsten Ervin, and Rivers of Steel. Also featured will be Bob Qualter's paintings on Steel Heritage. A variety of themes, including race, history and gender will be woven into the installation.
Calendar Listing
4th River presents Artist Upstairs' Magarac Attack. June 14-20, 2008. Opening party 6 pm, Saturday, June 14. Market Square. Free.
About the Three Rivers Arts Festival
4th River is a program of the Three Rivers Arts Festival.The mission of the Three Rivers Arts Festival is to connect the community to the arts. The 49th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival runs from June 6-22, 2008. For more information, call the Festival at 412.281.8723 or visit our website www.artsfestival.net.
Download this press release
Joe Magarac's impressive feats place him in the company of other famous American folk heroes, like John Henry. According to one legend, the eastern European steel worker could work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, doing the work of 29 men. "He was a sort of patron saint of steel workers, credited with suddenly appearing to save the lives of mill-workers in peril," said curator and participating artist LaFollette. "But 'magarac' also means 'jackass' in Polish, so he's a bit of a controversial character. Magarac Attack is about re-inventing the legend."
To create Magarac Attack, LaFollette and collaborators conducted community workshops in Lawrenceville, Braddock, Homestead and the Hill District to gather ideas about the folk icon. The resultant art will incorporate puppetry, sculpture and other media from different artists to honor Joe Magarac's legend and the steel workers who made Pittsburgh the city it is today. The installation will feature work from Pittsburgh artists Emory Biko, Michelle Gregio, LaFollete and the Braddock Youth Project, the team of artists Debbie Bobeck and Kirsten Ervin, and Rivers of Steel. Also featured will be Bob Qualter's paintings on Steel Heritage. A variety of themes, including race, history and gender will be woven into the installation.
Calendar Listing
4th River presents Artist Upstairs' Magarac Attack. June 14-20, 2008. Opening party 6 pm, Saturday, June 14. Market Square. Free.
About the Three Rivers Arts Festival
4th River is a program of the Three Rivers Arts Festival.The mission of the Three Rivers Arts Festival is to connect the community to the arts. The 49th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival runs from June 6-22, 2008. For more information, call the Festival at 412.281.8723 or visit our website www.artsfestival.net.
Download this press release
