Light-Up Mini-Man Goes Missing from Village Green

Summit residents and downtown regulars have become accustomed to the friendly group of plastic-wrapped figures that sit at the corner of Broad and Maple Streets.

Known together as Living Objects, a contemporary sculpture by Jason Krugman, the three human-like objects keep travelers company while they wait at the corner bus stop, provide a little extra light in the evenings with their glowing LED-lit torsos and limbs, and remind us that the Village Green is an excellent place for any large body to recline.

"I loved driving by one day and seeing the seated figure with a tennis ball in his hand, and later driving by and seeing a Starbucks cup in his hand," said Debi Schwarzmann, Vice-Chair of the Public Art/Summit.

But approximately two weeks ago, the familiar scene changed. The two large figures, named Big Boy and Big Boy 2 by the artist, began looking lonely. It wasn't that their section of the Green was any less frequented than usual, and it wasn't that they were any less loved by the townspeople.

It was simply that the small figure named Freddy, who once sat happily upon the shoulder of Big Boy 2, was missing.

When questioned about the absence of the essential Living Objects component, YMCA employee Shiniqua Jones, whose familiarity with the art piece came from her work directly across the street, responded, "The little man on the shoulder? I don't know. One time I saw it laying on the ground."

Gasp.

Could it be an act of vandalism? Was the figure heartlessly stolen from his perch on his big pal's shoulder?

Fear not, my friends, this story has a happy ending.

We spoke with Michael Tcheyan, Co-Chair of the Public Art/Summit, to get some answers.

"Yes, we have been getting questions," he admitted.

"I noticed people were moving (Freddy) around," explained Tcheyan, who said he'd seen the little guy move from Big Boy 2's shoulder to other locations such as the larger figure's knees and lap.

He went on: "I thought maybe I better bring him home before somebody else takes him home."

There you have it. Our friend Freddy has been relaxing in the air conditioning of Tcheyan's personal office for the last two weeks (see accompanying photos).

"He's perfectly fine; he's not hurt in any way. He's being well-fed and taken care of," the Public Art/Summit member reassured us.  "I know he wishes he were outside with his family," added Tcheyan, saying that Freddy has been passing the time helping him with the paperwork at his desk.

And so solves the case of Summit's missing mini man, Freddy.

According to Vice-Chair Schwarzmann, the rest of the Living Objects will soon be disappearing, as well.

"The idea behind temporary art is that nothing stays for too long," said Schwarzmann of the town's art installations. "We're sorry to see (Living Objects) go, but we know they're going to good places."

Come this fall, the artist Krugman will be back to claim his artwork and carry Big Boy, Big Boy 2, and Freddy off to their next destination: The Electric Zoo Music Festival in New York City's Randall's Island Park where they will be surrounded by more than 40,000 people.

"As we say goodbye to Freddy and his friends, we will have other pieces replacing them," said Schwarzmann.

Look for four to six new installations this coming September and October in a variety of mediums and locations around town.

And until then, rest assured. Freddy is in good hands.