The ailing district of Deep Ellum is renewing its image, and the creation of a recognizable icon should help.
A new sculpture dubbed the "Traveling Man" will appear in three different locations throughout. The pieces will stand at 38 feet tall, weigh 35,000 pounds and be entirely made of steel. He will have a guitar-shaped head in acknowledgment of the area's musical heritage.
Although not meant to have robot connotations, it resembles on enough that Wired Magazine called it, a "cool robot sculpture."
It is the creation of Brandon Oldenburg of Reel FX Creative Studios and Brad Oldham of Brad Oldham Inc., and will help welcome visitors to the district.
Currently visitors can see the late building stages of the artwork, with an official unveiling coming in late summer. The contract for the project went for $1.36 million.
Holly LaFon has written and worked for various local publications including D Magazine and Examiner.
