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Spindle

Spindle was a sculpture created in 1989 by artist Dustin Shuler (1948–2010). It was a 15-meter assemblage made from eight cars impaled on a spike. The work stood in the parking lot of Plaza Cermak shopping center at Cermak Road and Harlem Avenue (Illinois Route 43) in Berwyn, Illinois. The center’s owner, David Bermant, donated the BMW in the second position from the top. Construction reportedly cost more than $75,000. The sculpture appeared in Wayne’s World and attracted attention in 2007, including a visit from Critical Mass Chicago and a radio interview about its planned removal. It was offered for sale on eBay without any bids and was dismantled on 2 May 2008.

Spindle sculpture in Berwyn, Illinois, with eight cars stacked on a vertical spike against a clear blue sky.
Dustin Shuler’s Spindle sculpture shows eight cars impaled on a tall spike in Berwyn, Illinois.
© · Public domain
Spindle sculpture with old cars stacked vertically on a central pole, topped by a red Volkswagen Beetle against a blue sky.
Dustin Shuler’s Spindle rises from a parking lot with a stack of old cars perched on a central pole.
February 2007 © · CC BY 2.0
The Spindle sculpture with eight cars stacked vertically on a central pole above a shopping center sign.
The Spindle rises above Cermak Plaza in Berwyn, with eight cars stacked on a single pole.
September 2009 © · CC BY 2.0
Spindle sculpture with cars stacked vertically on a central pole above a concrete base.
Spindle, a public sculpture made of cars stacked on a central pole, rises above a concrete base outdoors.
June 2030 © · CC BY 2.0
The Spindle sculpture made of vertically stacked cars with people and bicycles gathered around it at dusk.
The Spindle rises above a crowd at dusk, its stacked cars forming a striking roadside landmark.
July 2007 © · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitleSpindle
TypePop art sculpture / installation
Alternative titleThe Spindle

Historical context

Year created1989

Creator

ArtistDustin Shuler (1948–2010), an American pop art artist
Commissioned byDavid Bermant, owner and modern art collector

Physical characteristics

Height15 metres
Base depthNearly 30 feet into the ground

Materials

MaterialSteel
ComponentsEight cars impaled on a steel pole

Appearance

DescriptionA steel spike with eight cars stacked on it like documents on a noticeboard pin
Vehicle arrangementEight vehicles stacked vertically from top to bottom
Vehicles from top to bottomRed 1967 Volkswagen Beetle; blue-silver 1976 BMW 2002 with license plate "DAVE"; blue 1981 Ford Escort; green 1973 or 1974 Mercury Capri; white-over-blue 1978 Ford Mustang II; brown or burgundy 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix; light yellow 1979 or 1980 Ford LTD; black 1979 or 1981 Mercury Grand Marquis

Discovery and provenance

Construction costMore than US$75,000
Top vehicleRed 1967 Volkswagen Beetle owned by Shuler himself
Donated vehicleBermant donated the BMW placed second from the top

Location and ownership

Original locationParking lot of Cermak Plaza shopping center at the corner of Cermak Road and Harlem Avenue (Illinois Route 43), Berwyn, Illinois
Reconstruction locationMuseum parking lot

History and restoration

Radio interviewOn August 1, 2007, WLUP interviewed the Berwyn mayor mainly about the sculpture
Reconstruction initiativeIn 2012, a group backed by the Berwyn Route 66 Museum and the Berwyn Arts Council acquired the original top two cars and a pole from a former Ford sign, intending to rebuild it in the museum parking lot
Reconstruction statusThere are plans to recreate a slightly shortened version if sufficient funds can be raised
Stored partsThe top two cars were retained for future use
Removal statusThe sculpture was dismantled and removed in 2008
Public reaction at dismantlingA large crowd gathered at the site and took photographs
Demolition methodThe top two cars were removed by crane and stored for future use; the base was cut; then the remaining pole and cars were removed by crane
Demolition companyRobinette Demolition
DismantledMay 2, 2008
eBay auctionIt was offered for sale in an eBay auction that ended on April 17, 2008 with no bids
Removal timing discussed by mayorThe mayor said removal had been postponed to September 2007 and would most likely be moved down the street
Mayor's viewThe mayor of Berwyn described it as an "icon in our community"
Critical Mass visitOn July 27, 2007, about 2,000 cyclists rode 14.8 miles from Daley Plaza in The Loop to the sculpture to raise awareness
Public disagreementResidents disagreed over whether it should be relocated, removed, or preserved as a landmark; some considered it an eyesore
Relocation estimateRelocation was estimated to cost more than $350,000
Planned replacement useThe sculpture site was earmarked for a new Walgreens with a drive-through
Redevelopment announcementIn July 2007, the shopping center was announced to be partially redeveloped
Ownership changeAfter Bermant died in 2000, the shopping center changed hands, helping set the stage for removal
Bermant's claim about business impactBermant claimed the shopping center had 30% more business than comparable shopping centers because of the artwork's exposure
Local voteIn 1990, residents voted overwhelmingly for its removal
Permit statusNo permit was required because it was art erected on private property
City council reactionIts construction plans sparked debate in the municipal council
ControversyControversial among local residents throughout its existence
Installed1989

Other

Cultural referencesFeatured in Wayne's World; featured on the covers of tourist guides, postcards, state tourism brochures, and road maps; featured on the cover of a book; featured in the syndicated comic strip Zippy the Pinhead on August 28, 2007
Model locationA model of the sculpture is on display at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, by the entrance to the men's restroom in the former Sears wing

Significance

Status in IllinoisBecame emblematic of Illinois