10 Dec 2009

Satin Doll Goes on the Block for the Guys in Blue

SatinDollAuctionHalfway into the first Clinton administration (lifetimes ago, no?) I moved to Washington, shirked my journalism degree, and took my first job in the press office at the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum. That was before many tourists ventured off the mall; and instead of bourbon bars and chain retail, Penn Quarter was home to wig shops, porn emporiums and the now fabled Insect Club. When I left the GSA system behind (my wallet quickly said “thank you!”), what I missed most was walking past works as varied as those by John Singer Sargent, Howard Finster, William H. Johnson and Louise Nevelson. I had yet to discover the art right under my nose on the sidewalks of DC. In fact, there are a few world class sculptures on my dogwalking circuit. And if I wanted to, now I could put one in my yard. Huh? Read on dear readers.

In 2002 the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities funded artists to create 200 donkeys and elephants, and the true DC party animals were born, unseating soused interns and lobbyist wine-and-cheese cruisers throughout the city. Cue DC-style drama: The ACLU sued the Commission on behalf of PETA who said the design they submitted was wrongly denied because its statement was a little too somber (think circus pachyderms, not Dumbo) and violated free speech laws. Then, a number of the downtown beasts had to be moved to American University to protect them from the anticipated antics of anti-IMF protesters. Thankfully for public art lovers, the sculptures survived, and eventually the Commission raised more than a million dollars auctioning them off. Imagine that, “Honey? Guess what I bought at the auction?” moment.

As luck would have it, and as is only fitting, many of the party animals made their way to Capitol Hill. You’ll probably see more donkeys than elephants, but who knows, maybe they move along with their owners every four years. My favorite is the elephant découpaged with editorial cartoons at 217 5th Street SE, where it lives alongside a multinational donkey. Crazily enough, the “Oliphant Elephant” was created by the American Art Museum, in honor of Washington Post political cartoonist Pat Oliphant.

But speaking of moving…

Lisa Saunier and her husband Carl Nielsen moved to the Hill in 2003 and brought with them the Duke Ellington inspired “Satin Doll.” The Capitol Hill Restoration Society gave their blessing, and Satin Doll took up residence at 6th and D Street SE. From time to time, her neighbors would festoon her with flowers, Easter bonnets and even (the horrors!) a donkey costume.

The couple has since moved back to Massachusetts and are helping their great big girl find a new home in the city. They’ve donated her to Ready, Willing & Working, a program supported by the Capitol Hill BID that empowers men to break the cycle of homelessness, welfare dependency and criminal recidivism through a paid-work and supportive services rehabilitation program. It’s the Ready, Willing & Working guys you have to thank for the neat and trim tree boxes or the delightful “lessening” of litter in the neighborhood’s commercial areas.

You can bid on Satin Doll on eBay until next Thursday, when she’ll go on the block (and then perhaps on yours!) at the RWW  fundraiser Magic & Miracles at the Mansion. The event, hosted by WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi, will be held from 7:30 pm – 9:30pm, at The Mansion on O. For more information, check out the BID’s blog.

If you’re still looking for holiday gifts, the book on the Party Animals is still available on Amazon.

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