New Tsuchiya sculpture to shine bright during BLINK

With BLINK just around the corner, the organizers have unveiled a new permanent sculpture that will shine brightly during the art and light festival.

Representatives from the city of Cincinnati, 3CDC, and the Cincinnati Regional Chamber gathered at Court Street Plaza in downtown to unveil the piece by renowned artist Tom Tsuchiya. The new fiberglass and stainless steel sculpture, “Embrace No Evil,” is at the plaza’s southeast corner.

During BLINK, from Oct. 17-20, speakers inside the semi-translucent sculpture will come alive, and the ambient LED lighting will synchronize with music. Visitors to Court Street Plaza, especially those attending the Asianati Night Market, can drop by to see the new artwork up close.

“The 2020 renovation of Court Street Plaza created new opportunities for public art installations like this one,” said Christy Samad, 3CDC’s executive vice president of civic and commercial space activations.

Adding to Cincinnati’s public art gallery

3CDC and the Cincinnati Chamber selected “Embrace No Evil” as part of a request for proposal for BLINK. Tsuchiya’s work, often characterized by its lively feel, is on display throughout the region. Drawing inspiration from nature and the shapes and movements of people and animals, he creates pieces that bring a sense of life to his art.

The new Cincinnati piece draws inspiration from the Buddhist and Confucian proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” often linked to monkeys. The sculpture offers a fresh take on this idea, showing monkeys intertwined and shielding each other from evil.

“Embrace No Evil” is the latest work of public art on Court Street Plaza. Other pieces include Gee Horton’s “Coming of Age” mural, as well as “HYBYCOZO,” a series of large-scale geometric installations created by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu. There are also several murals along the base of Kroger Co.’s headquarters.

“This collection of outdoor, public artwork is a tribute to local artists and Cincinnati culture that truly enlivens the surrounding area and adds to the ambiance for those visiting the outstanding collection of unique local restaurants or attending events on the Plaza,” Samad said.

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