What Happened to the Talking Heads Sculpture?

Two weekends ago I stumbled on the Talking Heads sculpture while walking to dinner in San Francisco Hayes Valley. My wife pointed to it, "Isn't that the sculpture that was in East Palo Alto?"

We walked closer, and I immediately recognized the artist's name Oleg Lobykin as the same East Palo Alto resident who has been active in our East Palo Alto Neighbors Facebook group. I posted about it on the East Palo Alto Neighbors Facebook group and the artist replied: "Someday it can be returned or I can make another sculpture specially for EPA." Others chimed in: "I love passing by your house/shop and seeing all the art … thank you for sharing your gift with us!", "Definitely miss seeing it - thanks for sharing!", "absolutely love his art! thanks for sharing."

https://www.facebook.com/groups/EPANeighbors/posts/24994077120256798/

Oleg invited me to visit the studio, and I stopped by to learn more about this art work and how it ended up in San Francisco.

Timeline

Let me step back and give a timeline of events, linked to Facebook posts.

July 18, 2024 - "Talking Heads" was installed in East Palo Alto on the city-owned parcel at the northeast corner of University and Bay.

Oleg mentioned that ""It’s a temporary art installation. Not a loan nothing cost to City or taxpayers. Artist lead initiative to start a conversation about Public Art in EPA and importance of Art in general. Abstract free standing Sculpture Talking Heads just to spark imagination. My art is my contribution to society and place I call home."

July 19, 2024 - Over 130 people liked this post, and residents overall really liked it. One person wrote: "I touched it."

November 28, 2024 - A resident posted: "Qué opinan Sobre esto???" ("What do you all think about this?"). It got 124 comments!

December 13, 2024 - Oleg added lights onto the sculpture: "Christmas spirit is on. Happy Holidays!"

December 31, 2024 - Oleg wrote, "Dear residents of EPA. I live here in East Palo Alto over 20 years and love it. Thank you for the opportunity to share my art with all of you. Soon we will remove lights from my sculpture Talking Heads. I'll be on site by the sculpture this Thursday between 6-8pm. welcome to stop by to meet the artist and play with light modes on remote control (there are 12 modes!). Happy New Year!"

January 10, 2025 - Oleg wrote, "Most public art in US funded by donors or 1% for art program that charge all large size developers. Most cities in Bay Area have this program for a long time but not EPA. Perhaps it's time to change it?Our city doesn't have any public art that can help make our place more distinctive, one of a kind and unique. Yes, there are a few murals and painted utility boxes but no even one fountain or sculpture or other significant art installation. Would you like to see more art in EPA?"

January 14, 2025 - Oleg wrote, "Talking Heads sculpture last day in EPA moving to San Fransisco tomorrow."

Behind the Scenes

Oleg had offered the sculpture as a free loan to the city, and he found a council member to champion the project. The city just paid to install the concrete pad foundation, and Oleg had the lights added.

Shortly after, the San Francisco Arts Commission learned about the sculpture and offered the artist money to buy it / lease it. Because it had just been installed in the artist's home town, Oleg asked for some more time. The sculpture ended up being in East Palo Alto for 6 months, after which it was moved to San Francisco for a lease at Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley - a very centrally located, highly trafficked location. The one-year lease comes up in 2026 and "Talking Heads" will be available for a new home.

What's next for Talking Heads?

I'm not particularly attached to "Talking Heads", but I'd love to see public art in general installed in East Palo Alto. If a donor or private developer were willing to fund it, then it can be brought back to East Palo Alto or a new piece could be placed somewhere. Perhaps one of the developers of a new real estate project or a private donor. As an idea, Sand Hill Properties is proposing apartments and townhomes at their 6 acre site at Four Corners. Even though East Palo Alto does not have a mandated Percent for Art ordinance, this is one way that the development could contribute to further benefiting the community.

Conclusion

What are your thoughts on "Talking Heads?" Would you want to see it brought back to East Palo Alto, if the city didn't have to pay a dime?