Transformers (sculptures)
Due to regulations in historic districts and overseeing public and private designs by the Old Georgetown Board, Howard was told to remove them.
Howard's defenders include Peter Cullen and Dan Gilvezan, the voice actors of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in the 1980s Transformers animated series.
In January 2021 brain and cognitive scientist Newton Howard, who specializes in artificial intelligence, replaced two planter boxes with two metal sculptures in front of his townhouse at 3614 Prospect Street NW in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
The two-ton (1,814 kg) sculptures depict Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, characters from the Transformers media franchise, and measure approximately 10 feet (3 m) tall.
"[5] In an interview with Slate magazine Newton said the sculptures were commissioned "because the Transformers represent human and machine living in harmony, if you will."
A city inspector told Howard he would need a public space permit for the sculptures since the property line ends at the façade of his house along the sidewalk.
The ANC commissioner that represents the area of Prospect Street NW where Howard's home is located said, "It's one of those funny things that people think it's their own property but it's actually public space...It needs to be reviewed by the Old Georgetown Board.
He also said letting the sculptures stay could create a precedent: "What's to stop someone from putting up a statue of Joseph Stalin and saying, 'Well this is provocative, it's art, it speaks to me?
[6] The board later sent an email to Howard granting him a permit to have the sculptures remain for six months, starting from the day he submitted a request, April 16.
[11] He also said the CFA was working with him to explore the installation of 16 other Transformers sculptures throughout the city, a project funded by the Howard Brain Sciences Foundation.
[4][12][13] At an ANC meeting in April 2023, members of the Prospect Street Citizens Association complained the sculptures attracted motorcycle gangs, could topple during an earthquake, and that children could be injured if they climbed on top of them.
The following week the Old Georgetown Board also denied a request for the sculptures to remain displayed with the chair saying "We hope that these statues will disappear in the not-too-distant future.
[13] In May 2023, Peter Cullen and Dan Gilvezan, who were the voices of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in the 1980s animated series, provided testimonies defending the sculptures at a D.C. Public Space Committee hearing.
"[14] Voiced as Bumblebee, Gilvezan stated:[14] "It seems fitting to me that we heroes who fight every day for freedom and liberty belong in a place so closely associated with those very qualities, the capital of this great country.
In addition to Cullen and Gilvezan, the sculptures were defended by actress Emily Swallow, D.C. shadow senator Paul Strauss, acting as his attorney, and some local residents.
'"[8] Dan Kois of Slate said the sculptures "deliver grandeur and whimsy to the modern cityscape,' that they were "spectacular," and that they are "lovingly crafted, immense, and tacky.
