The location selected for the statue would have Melville's gaze directed towards New Bedford's Whaling Museum, and past that, the Acushnet River, which leads to the open sea.
New Bedford Installing Sculpture of Melville Based on 'Moby-Dick'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — New Bedford's installing a statue of Herman Melville based on his epic "Moby-Dick," the story of a whaling captain and his nemesis the white whale, inspired by Mount Greylock.
An illustration of the statue titled "Melville and Jonah's Journey" was unveiled on Friday morning at the Seaman's Bethel in New Bedford, where it will be installed on the grounds.
The work by sculptor Stefanie Rocknak shows Melville amidst waves and three whale ribs "representing Melville's own journey into and out of the whale. Yet, Melville rises above them, his mouth open, as though beginning to speak — to tell the story of Moby Dick, this truth," the artist wrote in her proposal.
"Melville, like Jonah, was on a journey of transformation. Just as Jonah was cast back to shore to fulfill his divine purpose, Melville returned from his own voyages to write 'Moby-Dick' — a novel that immortalized not only his personal journey but also New Bedford's whaling heritage."
The elements of the statue come from the sermon in Chapter 9 about Jonah and the whale, and the hymn that begins "The ribs and terrors in the whale, arched over me a dismal gloom, while all God’s sun-lit waves rolled by, and lift me deepening down to doom."
"Moby-Dick" was the story of Melville's experiences in whaling but was written in Pittsfield during the 13 years he and his family lived on Holmes Road. He could see Mount Greylock, the state's tallest summit, from his window and it was said to have inspired his concept of Moby Dick the whale. The house that he dubbed "Arrowhead" is now the headquarters of the Berkshire County Historical Society.
A New Bedford committee comprised of artists and city planners selected Rocknak's proposal out of 41 submitted by American and international artists. Mayor Jon Mitchell unveiled the design and introduced Rocknak on Friday at Seamen's Bethel, which is the inspiration for Melville's Whaleman's Chapel in the novel.
The call for artists went out a year ago on the same day and the project will be supported with public and private funds, including up to $50,000 from the New Bedford Port Society, which maintains the 1832 Seamen's Bethel and the adjacent 1787 Mariners' Home within the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
Rocknak, also a professor and chair of the philosophy and cognitive science department at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., is the sculptor of "Poe Returning to Boston," which shows the author striding along Charles Street with a raven emerging from his open suitcase.
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Five People Displaced by Pittsfield Fire
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Five people were displaced and one taken to the hospital from a fire on Alcove Street on Friday.
A report by Deputy Chief Ron Clement said three engines, Truck 2 and Car 2 responded to the report a structure fire at 18 Alcove, and found smoke coming from a second-story window.
Crews from Engine 5 entering the residence found heavy fire on the second floor that was brought under control within 30 minutes. All companies participated in search, ventilation and overhaul efforts.
One man was home at the time and taken to Berkshire Medical Center for possible smoke inhalation. No firefighter injuries were reported.
The four others occupants of the single-family home were not there at the time of the fire. They were not able to return to the house but did have alternative housing, wrote Clement.
The fire is being investigated by the Fire Department's Investigation Unit.
Nearly 100 residents turned up at the Board of Health meeting on Wednesday night to complain of dust and particulates coating their neighborhood from Berkshire Concrete and allegedly causing health issues. click for more