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Ted's Head Reunites with Body in Bizarre Gallery Twist - Artist Answers Fans' Demands with New Bust of 'Splinter'

Published: Thu, 22 Sep 2005, 12:29:00 EDT

Edited by Christopher Simmons

NEW YORK, NY - September 22 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut artist whose notorious "Ted's Head" art show has caused a storm of controversy has announced that he will respond to the wishes of fans angered by his severed-head presentation of baseball great Ted Williams. Fans of the legendary Boston Red Sox hitter have expressed outrage at artist Daniel Edwards' display of three "death mask" casts on exhibit at NY's First Street Gallery this month. The sculptures depict Williams' head as prepared for frozen storage at Scottsdale Arizona's Alcor Life Extension Foundation.

The gallery reports that it has received more complaints than compliments since the September 6 opening of "The Ted Williams Memorial Display."

"It's been everything from polite disapproval to outright scorn," according to gallery representative, Lincoln Capla. "Some people have demanded the removal of the Williams pieces, altogether," though one group reportedly sees the artist as a spokesman for their attempts to have Williams freed from Alcor, the cryonics lab that uses high-tech freezing to preserve human bodies and heads for possible reanimation.

"Alcor and others have accused Mr. Edwards of exploitation of the Williams situation. It's gotten to the point where Mr. Edwards has felt the need to address the incredible volume of hostile reactions," said Capla.

The artist is responding by adding a 'conventional' head and shoulder portrait bust to the display considered too shocking for many. According to Capla, "[Edwards] has decided to provide the figurative and symbolic means to reunite Ted's head with his body."

"It's not about the money, it's not about the shock, it's about Ted Williams," Edwards says, referring to his motivations for creating the artworks. "I honor American heroes with my work, I always have. What's outrageous is not my depiction but the reality here, the way Ted Williams ended up."

Edwards revealed he is creating a new Ted Williams piece in the style and tradition of a heroic sculpture bust for inclusion in the exhibition. "A candlelight vigil will accompany the unveiling," the artist says. "His will said he wanted to be cremated with his ashes spread in Florida where he loved to fish," Edwards says about Williams. "What would be truly amazing is if Ted Williams is reanimated one day, and looked at these pieces I made. Now that is one reaction I'd like to hear."

Ted Williams Restored will be presented at First Street Gallery September 30th at 7:00 PM.

*(Photo Caption: LIFE AND DEATHMASK: one of three displays that angered fans.)

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ADDITIONAL NEWS FROM First Street Gallery

» Ted's Head Reunites with Body in Bizarre Gallery Twist - Artist Answers Fans' Demands with New Bust of 'Splinter' » War and Aerial Assault of Wolves Merge in Painter's Imagination » Controversial Decision to Exhibit Ted Williams' 'Death Mask' Defended Amidst Questions of its Origin » 'Death Mask' of Baseball Star's Severed Head Featured in Exhibit - Ted Williams' Life or Death Controversy Resurrected

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