Jagoda's controversial sculpture got the thumb

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 1, 2004

Puzzled about something in our area? "Did You Ever Wonder?" is here to help. Send your questions to the address below.

QUESTION: What can you tell me about the white sculpture that looks like a thumb at the corner of Monument and Cascade? - Curious

"Moment in Time" (1973) was one of the first pieces of public art purchased by the city. It's an abstract by Richard Jagoda, whose large bison and grizzly bear can be spotted downtown.

The artist quarried the Colorado Yule marble himself for "Moment in Time," according to his partner, Betty Griffin. She says it is neither a finger nor a thumb, he just started working and it "came out of the stone."

The work was not without controversy. It was in a place of prominence until "little old ladies wrote that they didn't want a sex object in a city park" and it was moved, according to Griffin. "It's what you see. Now it's hidden behind a steel sculpture and not visible from Cascade." Griffin says the artist has always hoped that people will appreciate the beauty of the marble and ask why it's hidden from view.

Jagoda, a Colorado Springs native, has enjoyed the public's interaction with his work, says Griffin, even when Colorado College students attempted to create their own erotica by adding two giant snowballs to the base. On another occasion the sculpture sported a serape and a sombrero.

QUESTION: On a recent weekend something resembling particle board or a corrugated material was put up on the sides of the railroad bridge in the Rockrimmon area near Pro Rodeo. Any idea what it is and why it's there? -Jamey R.

Good eyes. It's plywood and it's preparatory to Union Pacific redoing the track in that area as part of routine maintenance.

The ballast (stone) that helps secure the rails will be replaced and, says railroad spokesman Gene Hinkle, "the plywood is in place to protect the surrounding area and because we don't want that stuff (ballast) flying off the bridges." Tie gangs will be setting the ballast, ties and rails.

CONTACT THE WRITER: Send questions to Linda Navarro at Lnavarro@gazette.com; mail to "Did You Ever Wonder?," P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs 80901. No personal replies; because of limited space, not all questions will be answered.