The Spindle/Car Kebab

Definitely gone. Glad I got to see it when it was here. I doubt it will come back. Sad.

.7÷30÷08
Still empty, Walgreen’s still sucking.

Look, I lived in Berwyn for the first 24 years of my life. I saw that damn Spindle a lot. It was an eyesore that had years of bird poop and dirt on it. It wasn’t pretty — at all. Maybe if someone had tried to clean it up every 5 years it wouldn’t have been so bad. But it was gross. It needed help and if the only help was knocking it down… so be it. Trust me, it didn’t do all that much for Berwyn anyway. Icon or no icon…

Is this seriously gone?
This is my childhood neighborhood. I fondly remember driving around town in my father’s yellow Geo Storm, seat-​belt free as things were simpler those days. I’d pass this marvel, chewing on Bazooka we just picked up at «The Cig Store» as Dad called it, and ponder the artist’s intent. American consumerism? An homage to post-​industrial Detroit? Things on a stick? Only the people of Berwyn would not only allow this work of art in their town, but also properly display it in the parking lot of Walmart.
Yes, the Car Kebab was a sight to behold but why can I not find its neighbor and partner in garbage art crime, that huge sculpture of shopping carts, pizza boxes and other junk cemented together, shellacked, and approximating the shape of the United States? Does anyone know what I’m talking about? That thing is the real Berwyn hero.

Thank God that thing is gone. No more obvious art please.

I usually thumb my nose at local tourist spots. This is not one of them. Whenever I drove past it I pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall to check it out and admire this one.
I am not going to go into the tirade that I would like to about the city of Berwyn, the plaza management, and Walgreens but the dismantleing of the spindle is really a shame. I will miss you!

I remember the first time I ever seen the car kebab… it was in the movie Wayne’s World and I knew then what an impressive piece of art it was. I eventually made the trek down to Berwyn to see it in person and words cannot say how majestic this sculpture is!
Boo to you jerks who decided that they needed a new Walgreens SO bad that you took away the amazing, splendiferous Car Kebab!!!

I grew up not too far from The Spindle. I remember thinking, what in the world is that! I never really understood the motivation behind The Spindle. Then again, I was 8.
I remember when it appeared in Wayne’s World. The crowd cheered with enthusiasm and excitement. We were so proud this bizarre work of art was showcased for the world to see.
Now its gone. I’ve died just a little bit inside.

A landmark, a real landmark does not need a movie to make it known. It SHOULD not need protected status from destruction. It stands alone. When it is mentioned, people who have seen or heard of the wonder know exactly what is being spoken of. It does not have to be pretty, or sparkly, or the most beautiful thing ever created. It may be dark, dank, or obscure.
You, oh you, our fallen spindle, are all of these things. Yes, Wayne’s World made you a wold wide icon, but for those of us who loved you before you were cool, before you were hip, when you were just a bizarrely attractive sculpture in an unknown plaza off Harlem street– we knew the gem that was hidden within. We knew that sooner or later– the populace would find you– and find the beauty within. Would they find the dismantled car doors, hoods, roofs, trunks, making an outline on the sides of the mall? Probably not. But– they would discover your attractiveness. And they did.
Your bizarre nature shined through, until, under the cover of darkness, the demolition man came. Why? For progress? For safety? I believe it was for– yes– ready– another WALGREEN’S. Anyhow, you will be, and are MISSED!
For the midnight demolition crew, what is your next target? Cadillac Ranch?

Ohh car kebob, RIP… maybe one day you’ll reappear somewhere (well, the top two cars of you that were saved anyway)… perhaps in a fancier venue than Berwyn (–1 star for being in Berwyn… and boo to you too…).
Party on, Wayne.

It honestly amazes me that the owners of this shopping center haven’t very seriously considered the idea of relocating the Spindle somewhere else in the parking lot. Surely, at least to me, I don’t believe it’d cost that much to disassemble and reassemble this sculpture somewhere else within their parking lot.
Still cautiously crossing my fingers that something occurs at the last minute to save the statue, even if it means relocating the statue to a place away from the parking lot of Cermak Plaza. Carrie is definitely right-​on about this place being a unique aspect of Berwyn, and it’ll be more than a sad day if the statue (if it must be taken down all for a new Walgreens) isn’t reassembled somewhere else.

I took a pilgrimage out to the Spindle last week to soak it all in before it gets shipped out to who knows where. Being auctioned off on eBay like a whore is a sad way to see this thing go, but there’s still time to enjoy it if you’re so inclined.
The Spindle is such a great piece of urban art. If Berwyn-​ites are to ignorant to hold on to it I can only hope that the whole kabob finds a new home in Chicago.

This and Son of Svengoolie are what put Berwyn on the map. Take it away, and Berwyn is just another place to pass on your way to somewhere else. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

While enduring my quest for the bridesmaid shoe, I saw the Spindle from across the street. I got a girly squee when I recognized it. It was almost weird because it’s in the middle of a large parking lot/​shopping mall. It’s so awesome!!! What a great piece of art!!! What’s even better is that we you look in the distance, you can see the Sears Tower. It’s one of those ahh I love living in Chicago moments.

I guess if it’s good enough for Waynes World, it’s good enough for me. VIVA LA Spindle! Without it the only thing you would be known for was being the punchline of a Son of Svenghoolie gag Berwyn.

UPDATE 5÷7÷08:
Oh Spindle, RIP. You were such a sight to behold. May the owner of Cermak Plaza be forever cursed. Oh wait he probably already is. He is most likely the sole customer of those horrifyingly tacky «art galleries» you see in malls, with garish paintings of gondolas and leaping dolphins. Even the «Dogs Playing Poker» picture is too highbrow for him.
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PEOPLE OF BERWYN. I implore you. Do not be a bunch of morons. The Spindle (or Car-​Kebab) is one of THE FINEST pieces of American Art to come out of the 20^th century. Are you people kidding! You want it gone because «pigeons poop on it»?! WTF! Newsflash: pigeons poop on EVERYTHING. You cant tear it down! Bitches, please, ya’ll need to step. This was in Wayne’s World! It”s been on the cover of books!
And you, Judy Barr, you have no idea what you are talking about. The Spindle is not keeping people from moving there. It is not «lowering property values» and it certainly does not make a mockery of Berwyn. If anything it is bringing people there and giving them something to talk about and remember. It is a great thing. DO NOT get rid of The Spindle!