Metal sculpture nods to Woodstock anniversary

FRITZ MAYER
Posted 6/13/19

BETHEL, NY — Drivers motoring along State Route 17B through the Hamlet of Bethel in recent weeks have likely noticed a large, gun-toting metal sculpture aiming at the road from a truck. The …

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Metal sculpture nods to Woodstock anniversary

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BETHEL, NY — Drivers motoring along State Route 17B through the Hamlet of Bethel in recent weeks have likely noticed a large, gun-toting metal sculpture aiming at the road from a truck.

The creature, called “Chanbot,” is the work of artist Zac Shavrick, whose metal works can be seen in many public places around Sullivan County. As a kid, Shavrick decorated artist tents at the 29th anniversary of Woodstock.

People travelling to any of the Woodstock Anniversary concerts this year will be unlikely to miss seeing Chanbot. Asked specifically if the sculpture had anything to do with the anniversary Shavrick said, “You can’t not think about that right now.”

“It’s sort of up for interpretation,” he said about the symbolism behind the sculpture. “I don’t really discuss the symbolism too specifically because I think it’s better for people to bring their own stuff into it. Obviously I have my own take, but it’s up to the person to decide what they want it to mean.”

The location is in front of a friend’s house. He said the reaction from the public has been strong, with people stopping and taking pictures, “really checking it out.”

Most of the large sculptures Shavrick creates are from commissions, but Chanbot was his own, designed with the help of fellow South Korean artist Chan Ho, who says Shavrick “was instrumental in the creation of the sculpture.”

Shavrick said after the Woodstock anniversary, the sculpture will be probably be moved to Route 52 between Jeffersonville and Liberty. In the meantime it will stay on 17B, “Because I wanted to have something present for the 50th year anniversary.

news, sullivan county, bethel, state route 17b, chanbot, Zac shavrick, local artist, woodstock 50 anniversary

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