In Brookline, a vibrant fiberglass turkey painted in rainbow colors will be absent for part of Pride Month due to damage. This eye-catching artwork, known as “Love is Love is Love,” is currently located near the Washington Square T stop and will soon be taken down for an assessment. According to Gillian Jackson, the Brookline Commission for the Arts administrator, the sculpture requires a thorough evaluation.
Significance of the Sculpture
The turkey, designed by artist Jane Kim-Testa, serves as part of Brookline’s “Turkeys Around Town” initiative. This project saw the installation of ten unique turkey sculptures across the town, funded by COVID relief funds. Unfortunately, Kim-Testa expressed disappointment that the sculpture won’t be on display during Pride Month but emphasized her eagerness to see it restored. “It’s a bittersweet moment, especially during Pride,” she noted.
Currently, the turkey remains at Washington Square but is in dire condition. The sculpture’s head and body are leaning back against the ground, with its legs hanging by a thread from its base. Kim-Testa envisioned this piece as a celebration of Massachusetts’s LGBTQ+ community, a state renowned for being the first in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage. Her intent was to send a welcoming message to queer individuals living in the area.
Artwork’s Features and Community Response
The turkey is adorned in the colors of the intersex-inclusive Progress Pride flag. Along with this colorful design, Kim-Testa integrated translations of the word “love” in various languages, reflecting the diverse demographics of Brookline. On June 9, Kim-Testa learned about the damage from a friend, which was alarming news for her, given the piece’s significance in promoting inclusivity.
Frank Jefferson, the owner of Brookline Frames, noticed the turkey’s deterioration amid last week’s scorching temperatures. While he speculated over whether the damage was due to the heat or potential vandalism, police have yet to clarify if an investigation is underway. Kim-Testa, however, suspects that the damage was not intentional, noting previous issues during its transport to Washington Square, which made it unstable even before the weather took its toll.
Community Impact and Future Plans
The damage to the sculpture has left locals, including Jackson, feeling disheartened, as this artwork plays a pivotal role in the town’s expression of diversity. Jackson asserted that so far, there haven’t been reports of similar issues affecting the other turkey sculptures deployed around the town. The community’s reaction underscores how such pieces resonate deeply within Brookline, enhancing its identity as a welcoming and diverse area.
As Brookline prepares to assess and hopefully restore the turkey, residents remain hopeful that it will return even more vibrant. Kim-Testa concluded by emphasizing the importance of such art in connecting with the community and celebrating its values. The anticipation of the sculpture’s restoration symbolizes a shared commitment to inclusivity and pride, serving as a reminder of the power of art to foster community bonds.