22,000-Pound Rock to Hit Midtown on Thursday

Residents of Midtown have longed for something big to come to the northeast corner of 10th and Peachtree streets, which is one of the most prominent urban corners in metro Atlanta.

And something certainly large is coming to the green space on Thursday, but not exactly the dynamic redevelopment project that many have hoped for.

Instead, a 22,000-pound boulder from the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada will be placed in the pocket park by a 150-foot crane. The boulder will be installed on a pivot allowing park visitors and passers-by to slowly turn it around.

The ‘Rockspinner’ art piece is from artist Zachary Coffin, who in a statement said, “This kinetic sculpture is about the transformation of one’s relationship to mass. Normally a 22,000-pound boulder is the very embodiment of an immovable object. But with art and engineering this weathered boulder from the mountains of Nevada becomes a surprising object of movement and play.”

Motorists will need to take note that between 10 a.m. and noon on Thursday, the two west bound lanes of 10th Street will be blocked off between Peachtree and Juniper streets to accommodate the crane needed to lower the boulder. 

The public art project is sponsored by Midtown Alliance, which began the year by partnering with property owner Dewberry Capital Corporation to create a new green space at 10th and Peachtree, that beginning on Thursday, will be home to a rather mammoth visitor from the west. 

What are your thoughts on this new public art piece at the corner of Peachtree and 10th?