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A whodunit is afoot in Bruce Park. A mysterious figure lurks under cover of darkness accessorizing the horse sculptures with twinkle lights, scarves, Hawaiian leis and, this time, straw hats. Could it be one of your neighbors?
While this fashion bandit may be providing a humorous sight for park visitors, those who protect "Valentine" and "Orson" the horses, may not realize the damage he (or she? or they?) may be doing.
"I don't look on it happily. While I appreciate that it's cute and funny, whoever is doing it is leaving it on too long and are not realizing they're damaging the sculptures," said Pat Ohnell, co-chair of the Arts and Public Places Committee, which maintains all the sculptures in Greenwich has no idea who may be the culprit behind the fashion transformations.
Ohnell says the accessories trap water, which can wear down bronze, the horse sculptures' main material. Deborah Butterfield, a Californian artist, sculpted the cast and welded horses, which were given to the town in 1990 in celebration of its 350th anniversary.
Every year, members of the Arts and Public Places Committee take care of the different sculptures around town. "We wash them off with soft brushes and distilled water, then pat them dry and put a very thin coat of butcher's wax to prepare for winter," said Ohnell, adding that members of her committee remove any clothing they see on the sculptures as soon as possible.
"I'd really like to know who is doing it so I can let them know the damage they're doing," said Ohnell. For now, the person, or people, responsible for dressing the Butterfield horses remain a mystery.
If you have a thought about the fashion sense of the perpetrator, just click the comments box below and let us know.
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