Ruminant was originally a temporary piece, but Reedsburg community members formed a committee to acquire it for the city. It is currently being re-outfitted by Unnasch and will be installed as a centerpiece in a new downtown park, “Harvest Park,” later this year.

Ruminant will be lit up in its new location for the first time during a dedication ceremony Oct. 3, just in time for Fermentation Fest, which begins Oct. 4. Fermentation Fest celebrates food, farming and fermentation in all its forms. Last year the Fest drew about 12,000 visitors.

“Ruminant is intended to become a Reedsburg landmark and to attract curious visitors to the city. It also pays homage to our local farmers” said Joann Mundth Douglas. “Karl’s piece is so compelling, we believe that it will both distinguish Reedsburg and attract visitors year-round for years to come.”

Mundth Douglas is a Reedsburg native, chairwoman of the Ruminant/Harvest Park Project Committee and founder of Reedsburg ArtsLink, a fledgling nonprofit aimed at fostering all forms of arts and culture in the Reedsburg area.

Unnasch has exhibited as far as Europe and been featured in publications such as “The New York Times” and featured on NBC’s “Today Show.” In 2013, he was named among the Artists of the Year by the City Pages news weekly in Minneapolis.

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