The Big Pig Gig: Celebrating Pigs in the City [Hardcover]

Ohio, Etc.) Big Pig Gig (Exhibition) (2000 Cincinnati (Author), Artworks (Program) (Author), Rick Pender (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1882203704 | ISBN-13: 978-1882203703 | Publication Date: October 2000 | Edition: 1

Cincinnati was transformed to Cin-sow-nati in the summer of 2000. The Big Pig Gig, a public art initiative, brought local artists, businesses, community and arts organizations, schools and individuals together in an unprecedented way to have fun and celebrate Cincinnati’s porkopolis past. More than 400 decorated life size fiberglass pigs were placed in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington and Newport, Kentucky. Fifty schools participated by creating gig pigs. Artists submitted over 1,000 proposed pig designs for the official "Porkfolio." The Big Pig Gig: "Celebrating Pigs in the City" is the official keepsake publication of the Big Pig Gig. In it, you will find pictures of the pigs. You will learn how the Big Pig Gig came to be such a success in Cincinnati. You will learn "Why Pigs?" With text by noted Cincinnati columnist Laura Pulfer and local writer, historian and editor Rick Pender, this book is your souvenir of the fun that took over Cincinnati with the Big Pig Gig. Most importantly, the Big Pig Gig was about Cincinnatians having fun with their shared porkopolis history—and judging by the limitless smiles of residents and tourists as they viewed the pigs, the Big Pig Gig was an overwhelming success!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Orange Frazer Pr Inc; 1 edition (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882203704
• ISBN-13: 978-1882203703
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,486,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars These pigs brought out the best in the city, October 23, 2000

By 

John Thompson (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Pig Gig: Celebrating Pigs in the City (Hardcover)

This book is a beautiful pictoral documentary of Cincinnati's Big Pig Gig. To truly be able to appreciate what a sucessful event it was, you had to share the sidewalk with these giant colorful swine- and see the smiles spreading from one face to the next as people encountered them in real life. This book will be the next best thing for anyone who sadly missed the fun. Anyone who got to see the pigs, will want this book to remember them, and anyone who was not able to see the Gig will want to view this great collection .

People who love or collect pigs, who love art or whimsy will enjoy the pictures. It is a coffee table book that is small enough to fit on a bookshelf (like the small Cows on Parade picture book). It is a very interesting journey through varations on a theme and shows the limitless possibilities even within a very constrained (but slightly silly) format- a must for an art teacher! There are between one and four pigs featured on each page and the pictures are very clear and bright. There were three fiberglass pig forms which were transformed into four hundred individual and amazing works of art.

The downside of the book is that it is short on text. There are interesting behind the scenes stories about these pigs and the artists that are not included in the book. Many of the pigs are rich with meaning, historic and art historic and local reference that might not be obvious from a single glance, the angle of the photo or the title of the piece. If these stories had been included, the readers might have better understanding of the artist's intent.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Pig Gig Book Wonderful, November 3, 2000

By 

Louise Arnett (Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, home of the Big Pig Gig) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Pig Gig: Celebrating Pigs in the City (Hardcover)

I am still going through the book. The pictures are bringing back fond memories as I already miss seeing the pigs on the street. The pictures are great. I love the use of sunshine and shadows used in the pictures to highlight the pigs. I did not take any pictures of the pigs and regretted not doing that. The quality of the book is very fine. The book came so well wrapped I wondered what it was at first. Thank you for taking such good care of delivery of my beautiful book.

This book was a gift from my son and daughter in law for my birthday. It was hard to wait for it, but well worth the wait. It will be fun to pull it out when I need a "pick-me-up".

Very pleased with my gift.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YEs, pigs in the city ARe worth celebrating!, November 15, 2001

By 

Lavonda Lipps (Big Sur) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Pig Gig: Celebrating Pigs in the City (Hardcover)

I admire this book. As a leader in the art community in Seattle who was responsible for bringing the successful Pigs on Parade to the city, I can truly appreciate what Rick Bender and Laura Pulfer are portratying in this book. As an art community leader who successfully oversaw the marriage of the corporate world and art, I can truly attest to how "Pigs on Parade" type public art displays can truly foster civic spirit.