As of yesterday, March 22, "Pinocchio (Emotional)" is back in his rightful place in front of the Cincinnati Art Museum.
The giant 12-foot bronze sculpture is one of many Pinocchio-themed works created by Cincinnati artist Jim Dine. Dine graduated from Walnut Hills in 1953 and studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University, working on developing his printmaking, paintings and sculptures.
Fascinated by Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, Dine has been creating Pinocchio-inspired art since the late 1990s. In 2007, Dine created an exclusive bronze sculpture for the Cincinnati Art Museum, and thus, "Pinocchio (Emotional)" was born.
Back in September 2020, Pinocchio was moved to a safer location while the parking lot and the museum’s new arrival court were under construction. While on his indoor vacation, he was able to indulge in some conservation treatments in order to keep his paint fresh and bright after outdoor wear and tear.
Pinocchio isn’t in exactly the same spot at before; he’s been moved just 500 feet away so that he’s perfectly positioned for all your photo-op needs.
This summer, he'll get a new sculpture friend, as a museum commission is being added to the entrance. British-Nigerian contemporary artist Yinka Shonibare crafted a striking wind sculpture that will reside close to Pinocchio.
Other large-scale, outdoor sculptures are visible on the platforms of the Art Climb: Chakaia Booker’s "LBD Duty Free (2014)," Barton Rubenstein’s "Skybound (2012)" and Tony Rosenthal’s "Cube (1997)."
You can visit Pinocchio anytime outside, but reservations are currently required to enter the museum.
The Cincinnati Art Museum is located at 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. More info: cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
