Posted 12/21/09

Godzilla? Or...		...Goddess?
Photo credit: Steve Kotchko

What caused the biggest "buzz" at the State Capitol last week? It certainly wasn't the special session on budget deficits ordered by Republican Gov. Jodi Rell. Democrats who control the legislature didn't want to play that game and gaveled the session in and out in less than a half hour with no action.

The 2010 gubernatorial race didn't produce any new developments. Ditto for the U.S. Senate battle. So what did attract the attention of Capitol regulars? It was what we might call a "genius" move. "The Genius of Connecticut" to be exact.

Workmen spent two full days carefully bringing into the Capitol and setting up a new 18-foot tall winged bronze statue of a Connecticut-specific female protector with uplifted arms. She impressively rises up in the State Capitol's first floor rotunda.

This latest addition to the Capitol statuary collection is tied to a complicated story. The original statue was created by American sculptor Randolph Rogers in conjunction with the Capitol's original contractor James Batterson. Batterson named the soaring goddess "The Angel of the Resurrection," and it was hoisted to a perch atop the Capitol's golden dome in 1878.

The statue's name later was changed to "The Genius of Connecticut", but that doesn't translate to a Nutmegger who might win on "Jeopardy". Webster's New World Dictionary defines genius, based on ancient Roman belief, as "the guardian spirit of any person or place."

Pieces of the original "Genius" were blown off during the 1938 hurricane. In the interest of safety, the statue was taken down and placed in storage. In 1942 it was melted down to help with the effort in World War II.

A few years ago, Michael Cardin, then a state representative, spearheaded an effort to create a new replica of "The Genius" and place her on her old perch atop the dome. Deficit issues, materials problems, and other complications have prevented that step. However, storing the new replica also was complicated and costly, so state officials decided to situate the winged deity inside the Capitol for the time being. She stands regally atop a marble pedestal.

Cardin still wants to see "The Genius" lifted to the dome, but that could cost more than $200,000 for cranes to do the hoisting and reinforcements to the dome. He is hoping displaying "The Genius" inside the Capitol might spur a private fundraising effort to get the job done. By the way, the money to craft the new replica was approved when budget times were good, not in the current deficit cycle.

Workmen assigned to "The Genius Move" were meticulous, taking their time to haul the statue inside, affix her angel wings, and hoist her onto her pedestal. For a while, the statue, protected in many layers of plastic shrink-wrap looked like Godzilla in a cocoon. However, when the work was done, even jaded Capitol regulars swooned at her majesty.

Watching "The Genius" being installed was more fun than bird-dogging legislation, covering boring news conferences, or negotiating through state government bureaucracy. The Capitol is a beautiful building, filled with many stories and amazing architectural details. If you haven't paid a visit, stop by during the holidays or sometime in 2010. League of Women Voters guides conduct regular tours for school kids and adults.

By the way, once you find "The Genius" statue atop her marble pedestal, don't think you're seeing double if you spot a similar statue just around the corner. Another "Genius" figure, made of plaster stands nearby. It was the mold for the original statue back in the 1800s and has history all its own.