The oft-delayed “East Meets West” sculpture has finally arrived at Cyrus Avery Plaza, just east of the Arkansas River on Route 66 here in Tulsa. It’s supposed to be something like one and a half times life size and shows Cyrus Avery, the “Father of Route 66,” climbing out of his Model T to help a farmer in a wagon calm his horses, who have spooked at the sight of Avery’s car. In the car, Avery’s wife turns around to check on their daughter, who is trying to hang onto an obviously terrified cat. I like art that tells a story, and this definitely does that.
I walked out onto the pedestrian bridge above the plaza to get some pictures of the guys installing the sculpture this morning:





I’m not convinced this sort of display is the best way to spend money on Route 66 (I’d rather see the money used to relight neon signs and restore historic properties), but it’s definitely eye-catching, and maybe it will pique some people’s interest and get them off the interstate and onto 66.
Emily