concrete goose cincinnati

Concrete Goose Cincinnati: Unmissable Art in the Queen City

By Brian Moore
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The mention of "concrete goose Cincinnati" might initially seem like an oddity, but it's a term that has gained traction in recent years, particularly among locals and urban enthusiasts. This isn't a reference to a peculiar bird species, but rather a unique public art installation that has become a symbol of Cincinnati's vibrant arts scene.

At the heart of this story lies the Cincinnati Art Museum, which in 2018, decided to breathe life into an otherwise ordinary concrete goose sculpture. The goose, part of a series of bird sculptures created by artist Nancy Schön, had been a part of the museum's collection for decades but was rarely noticed by visitors. That changed when the museum decided to give it a digital makeover.

The Birth of the Concrete Goose

The concrete goose was originally created by Nancy Schön in 1987, as part of a series of sculptures depicting the famous Canada geese that migrate through the city each year. The sculptures were meant to be temporary, but the concrete goose at the Cincinnati Art Museum was one of the few that remained, becoming a part of the museum's permanent collection.

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a close up of a white duck's head with black eyelashes and orange beak
a close up of a white duck's head with black eyelashes and orange beak
Click here to see some of the most unique places in Cincinnati!
Click here to see some of the most unique places in Cincinnati!
an aerial view of the city of cincinnati, illinois in 1900's from above
an aerial view of the city of cincinnati, illinois in 1900's from above

For years, the goose sat quietly in the museum's courtyard, blending in with its concrete surroundings. It wasn't until the museum decided to give it a digital upgrade that it began to attract attention.

From Concrete to Digital

In 2018, the Cincinnati Art Museum launched a project called "Art Climb," aiming to transform the museum's exterior into a digital canvas. As part of this project, they decided to give the concrete goose a new lease on life by installing a digital screen inside its body.

two golden ducks sitting on the sidewalk in front of a house with a red ribbon tied around their necks
two golden ducks sitting on the sidewalk in front of a house with a red ribbon tied around their necks
Darkwing goose by Goosetok aka Crustbreak
Darkwing goose by Goosetok aka Crustbreak
Must See Museums in Cincinnati Ohio - 365Cincinnati
Must See Museums in Cincinnati Ohio - 365Cincinnati

This wasn't just a simple upgrade. The museum worked with local artists and technologists to create a dynamic digital display that changes every few minutes. The display features a variety of content, from art and museum-related information to local news and weather updates.

An Icon is Born

The concrete goose's new digital display quickly caught the attention of locals and visitors alike. People began to refer to it as the "Concrete Goose Cincinnati," a nod to its unique combination of old and new, physical and digital.

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What started as a simple art installation has evolved into a symbol of Cincinnati's commitment to the arts and its embrace of technology. The Concrete Goose Cincinnati has become a popular selfie spot, appearing in countless social media posts and even inspiring local merchandise.

an old building with many windows and plants on the balconies, along with a red door
an old building with many windows and plants on the balconies, along with a red door
a woman sitting on the ground next to a fake duck
a woman sitting on the ground next to a fake duck
Ghost Baby Cincinnati
Ghost Baby Cincinnati
a white duck statue sitting on top of a table
a white duck statue sitting on top of a table
a park bench sitting next to a tree on a sidewalk near a river under a blue sky with clouds
a park bench sitting next to a tree on a sidewalk near a river under a blue sky with clouds
Free Pattern: Flirty Goose Set
Free Pattern: Flirty Goose Set

The Impact on Cincinnati's Arts Scene

The Concrete Goose Cincinnati is more than just a quirky art installation. It's a testament to the city's thriving arts scene and its willingness to experiment with new forms of art and technology.

Cincinnati has a rich history in the arts, with numerous museums, galleries, and performance spaces. The Concrete Goose Cincinnati is a part of this legacy, but it also represents a new direction for the city's arts scene. It shows that Cincinnati is not only a place where traditional arts thrive but also a city that embraces innovation and technology in the arts.

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Inspiring Other Cities

The Concrete Goose Cincinnati has not only inspired locals but also caught the attention of other cities. Other museums and arts organizations have begun to explore similar projects, using digital displays to transform ordinary objects into dynamic works of art.

MLB/ CINCINNATI REDS Goose Dress/Goose Clothes/Concrete Goose/Lawn Goose/Lawn Geese/Outdoor Garden/Large Lawn Goose/Baseball/Sports/Reds
MLB/ CINCINNATI REDS Goose Dress/Goose Clothes/Concrete Goose/Lawn Goose/Lawn Geese/Outdoor Garden/Large Lawn Goose/Baseball/Sports/Reds
Nutcracker Goose: Jacket, Hat with attached curly hair - Handmade Crochet Costume
Nutcracker Goose: Jacket, Hat with attached curly hair - Handmade Crochet Costume
an outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas next to a clock tower in the background
an outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas next to a clock tower in the background
Desk Goose | Concrete Goose Shelf Sitter | Cottagecore Decor | Goose Collectible | Concrete Decor | Desk Goose
Desk Goose | Concrete Goose Shelf Sitter | Cottagecore Decor | Goose Collectible | Concrete Decor | Desk Goose
AFC / Cincinnati Bengals Goose Dress/Goose Clothes/Concrete Goose/Lawn Goose/Lawn Geese/Outdoor Garden/Large Lawn Goose/Sports/Bengals
AFC / Cincinnati Bengals Goose Dress/Goose Clothes/Concrete Goose/Lawn Goose/Lawn Geese/Outdoor Garden/Large Lawn Goose/Sports/Bengals
an old building on the corner of a street with cars parked in front of it
an old building on the corner of a street with cars parked in front of it
a white duck with an orange beak and two smaller ducks behind it
a white duck with an orange beak and two smaller ducks behind it
We Love Ohio | Cincinnati at night is as always beautiful ❤️❤️ | Facebook
We Love Ohio | Cincinnati at night is as always beautiful ❤️❤️ | Facebook
Over the Rhine
Over the Rhine
a duck statue with a sign that says z hot clothes on it's head
a duck statue with a sign that says z hot clothes on it's head
an old brick building with stairs leading up to the bakery and bourbon shop front door
an old brick building with stairs leading up to the bakery and bourbon shop front door
a statue of a duck wearing a pink hat
a statue of a duck wearing a pink hat

This is a testament to the power of art to inspire and connect communities. The Concrete Goose Cincinnati is more than just a sculpture; it's a symbol of Cincinnati's unique spirit and a beacon of inspiration for other cities.

Visiting the Concrete Goose Cincinnati

If you're in Cincinnati, the Concrete Goose is a must-visit. It's located in the courtyard of the Cincinnati Art Museum, which is open Tuesday through Sunday. The goose's digital display changes every few minutes, so you might want to spend some time watching the transformation.

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After visiting the Concrete Goose, you might want to explore the rest of the museum. The Cincinnati Art Museum has a collection of over 67,000 works of art, spanning 6,000 years of art history. It's a great place to spend a few hours, especially on a rainy day.

In the heart of Cincinnati, the Concrete Goose stands as a unique symbol of the city's commitment to the arts and its embrace of technology. It's a testament to the power of art to inspire and connect communities. So, if you're ever in the Queen City, don't miss the chance to see the Concrete Goose Cincinnati. Who knows, you might just find yourself inspired to create something unique and unexpected in your own community.

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