New York paper gets it right about Vollis

The New York Times has done a terrific feature on Vollis Simpson, the "outdoor artist" who was recognized about 20 years ago by the N.C. Museum of Art, where one of his tall whirligigs stands. He's also been noticed by a number of other museums and arts aficianodos around the country. His big whirligigs are on permanent exhibit in Baltimore, Atlanta, New York, London and Wilson, plus some other places, I suppose. One of his smaller whirligigs is in my back yard, a birthday gift to my wife several years ago (it was one of the most appreciated gifts I ever gave her).

I was glad the Times article did not mention the urban legends that have surrounded Vollis' work, and in some instances overpowered the truth behind what he had created. Numerous times over the years of my work at the local newspaper, I fielded calls and e-mails from people — a great many of the East Carolina University students — who wanted the low-down on this farmer outside of Wilson who had gone crazy after his daughter was killed in a car wreck on his farm. Driven by his grief, the legend claimed, he built his monstrosities in his pasture as a tribute to this daughter. "None of that is true," I told my callers, though I think many of them didn't believe me. I made a habit of referring them to a Web site created by the Minnesota Science Museum, which was, at the time, the best explanation of Vollis' work.

I also cringed every time I heard someone (usually a longtime Wilson resident) refer to Simpson's whirligig field off Willing Worker Road as "Acid Park." Supposedly, the twirling reflectors put on quite a show if you're stoned, but that moniker disrespects and belittles Simpson's amazing achievement. The New York Times never mentioned "Acid Park." Let's bury that whole line of thought.