Meet artist Michael Kutschbach’s Sesquipedalian Sea Squirt. The somewhat strange “responsive sculpture” now graces the seaside suburb of Glenelg in Adelaide.
Not since the days of Magic Mountain, which once towered over tourists like a teetering pile of guano, has Glenelg hosted such a beast. And not since Blackfriars Priory School unveiled a statue of a Catholic brother, a child, and a deeply inappropriate loaf of bread has Adelaide garnered such attention for its art. (Although a giant pigeon erected in Rundle Mall came close).
The artist who created #Glenelg’s new sculpture, which has everyone talking, says it was inspired by South Australia’s rich variety of sea squirts. Read more here: https://t.co/XUzghMFpx3#holdfastbay #adelaide #southaustralia
— City of Holdfast Bay (@HoldfastBay) November 2, 2021
Pic: https://t.co/25Y7EENROz pic.twitter.com/jsPbdsZXGb
The Squirt stands 3 metres tall on proud blue tripod legs, its bulbous eyes looking down on passersby. It appears to be gestating a bowling ball.
Kutschbach says it’s a “generous, fun, colourful and responsive sculpture”.
“Given the textures on it, it’ll be irresistible to touch. I hope it’ll come across as a very friendly, strange thing – one that arouses curiosity.”
Those who cannot resist a quick fondle will be rewarded with a squirt of water, which some critics said was more of a drizzle.
ABC radio listeners in Adelaide were divided. “This alleged sculpture looks like a very large poo, after bubble tea,” one said. “Nice to have bespoke art,” said another.
The inspiration for the Squirt, which local mayor Amanda Wilson described as “surrealist art … intended for people to think about it”, came from the local sea squirts.
Hermaphroditic sea squirts live alone, or in colonies that can number in the thousands. For hundreds of millions of years, they have been squirting water on whatever animal steps on them.
The sac-like creatures have muscular holes called “siphons” – one draws water in, and the squirt filters and feeds off the plankton, then the other siphon expels the water.
These squirts are threatened by the warming waters and sea level rises that come with climate change, as well as by marine pollution.
The artist has not yet explained why his Squirt is called Sesquipedalian – perhaps he just didn’t have the words.
