Local author Gabriel Squailia, left, chooses a passage to read with artist Evan Lurie.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Politicians, police, writers and many other area residents lent their voice to a new Melville-themed talking bench for downtown, as part of Pittsfield's summerlong "Call Me Melville" celebration of all things related to the famed author and his whale of an epic.
Called the Herman Melville Memorial Moby Dick Reciting Park Bench, this interactive piece of public art will recite pre-recorded passages of the classic 19th-century novel whenever passersby sit on it.
The project is being undertaken by Evan Lurie as part of Artscape, the city's yearly installation of works of art to enhance public areas, which this year will be all Melville-themed. Lurie, who lives in Lanesborough, is a musician and composer for television and film. He plays piano and most recently was the musical director for the "Backyardigans," a globally popular preschool animated series on Nick Jr.
Mayor Daniel Bianchi, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and dozens of Pittsfield residents from all walks of life contributed readings, recording a favorite passage or selecting one of many available from the lengthy tome, penned in Pittsfield and first published in 1851.
The bench will be installed at Palace Park (the North Street lot formerly occupied by Palace Theatre) and on display throughout the summer, and will issue a randomly selected recording of a local voice reciting "Moby-Dick" whenever someone sits on or otherwise triggers the installation.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
BRTA Celebrates 50 Years, Electric Buses
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
State Sen. Paul Mark tries out the seating in a new hybrid bus.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is celebrating its 50th anniversary with new hybrid buses that tell a story about its history.
The BRTA was awarded five eco-friendly buses in the past two years as part of President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the Federal Transit Administration's Low or No Grant Program. Each is valued at about $800,000 and is decorated to represent different BRTA eras.
"It's not for us, it's for our customers," Administrator Robert Malnati said. "It's the reason we're here. We're here to make sure that our customers can go where they need to go when they need to get there in a safe and efficient manner."
Three of the buses have been on the road for about a month and the rest are expected this year. Paying homage to the BRTA's decades of service to the county, they are wrapped in retro graphic designs that call back to its buses in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Local and state officials marked the occasion with a ribbon cutting on Monday, highlighting the importance of public transportation and embracing greener technologies to move people around.
The BRTA is looking at hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for the future, which are powered by pure hydrogen gas and emit water vapor.
"As you move forward in upgrading your bus fleet, you are truly transforming our transformation system while protecting our air, our water, and our shared future," Federal Transit Administration Region 1 Administrator Peter Butler said, explaining that it is the FTA's job to support that innovation.
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier said Berkshire County is no different than the rest of state RTAs when it comes to the challenge of securing funding but it does have greater geographical challenges.
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. proposed angled parking on North Street and was pleasantly surprised that the city responded with an in-depth study and new plans — even if they don't include angled parking.
click for more
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
click for more
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
click for more