Standing underneath a winding series of metallic spheres, strung together like a tangled pearl necklace, and surrounded by members of Lexington's five Sister Cities in France, Ireland, Japan, England, and South Korea, Mayor Linda Gorton officially unveiled the public art piece situated along Main Street at the Stephens Courthouse Plaza.
"I am smiling because this is a great day for Lexington, Kentucky," she announced.
Your mind goes to clichés... and I really wanted to steer clear of that territory.Benjamin Ball, A Common Thread sculptor
Unlike other events and activities organized around Lexington's yearlong 250th celebration, A Common Thread is meant to last, with words from Kentucky poets laureate from Lexington — including author Silas House and poet Frank X Walker — carved into the limestone below.
LA-based sculptor Benjamin Ball said when he first approached the project, the airborne string of reflective orbs wasn't the first image that came to mind.
"Your mind goes to clichés and the cliché is that (Lexington) is a city that has this history of thoroughbred racing and breeding," he said. "I really wanted to steer clear of that territory."
And so, he did — creating a work that invites viewers to look up and see themselves and the city reflected, both metaphorically and literally. Ball said the mayor told him this particular contribution to 250Lex wasn't about the past, but the future.
Councilman James Brown said horses, bourbon, and basketball are all great subjects, but it's good to see something different.
"Those aren't bad, but it's good to have a variety of artwork for people to enjoy and celebrate," he said.
In the spirit of celebrating those common connections, one of the large mirrored balls that make up the piece was signed by city leaders, the poets laureate, and visitors from the Sister Cities and will be placed in the lobby of city hall.
The sculpture cost the city $900,000.