Got a riddle for you today.
What’s free, indispensable to city life, lifts up humanity, challenges the individual, humanizes the environment, offers a nexus for gatherings, and often tends to cause controversy?
Nexus?
That’s just a fancy pants word for ‘a means of connection; a link or tie.’
??????????????????
Okay, what if I said Cloud Gate, Banksy, Stonehenge, Nanas of Niki de Saint Phalle, Fountain of Virtues, Angel of the North, Pyramids, and Fremont Troll?
??????????????????
It’s just a riddle. No need for you Type A's to freak! Think monuments, memorials, murals, mimes, and magic/mischief.
Okay, maybe a few pictures will help.
What’s free, indispensable to city life, lifts up humanity, challenges the individual, humanizes the environment, offers a nexus for gatherings, and often tends to cause controversy?
Nexus?
That’s just a fancy pants word for ‘a means of connection; a link or tie.’
??????????????????
Okay, what if I said Cloud Gate, Banksy, Stonehenge, Nanas of Niki de Saint Phalle, Fountain of Virtues, Angel of the North, Pyramids, and Fremont Troll?
??????????????????
It’s just a riddle. No need for you Type A's to freak! Think monuments, memorials, murals, mimes, and magic/mischief.
Okay, maybe a few pictures will help.
MONUMENTS
A type of structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or simply as an example of historic architecture.
A type of structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or simply as an example of historic architecture.
"Jet Nest" sits outside Iceland's Keflavik International Airport attesting to the birth of aviation.
The Vikings are practically synonymous with Icelandic culture. This ship sits in Reykjavik's harbor.
Dublin's "Monument of Light" is the tallest structure in Europe at 398 feet tall.
The Ars Electronica building in Linz, Austria illuminates the Danube.
It's a bird; it's a plane. No, it's Calder's Flamingo preening in a Chicago plaza.
Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz's perspective of life during Nazi occupation; Chicago's Grant Park.
MEMORIALS
An object which serves as a focus for remembering something, usually a person (who has died) or an event.
An object which serves as a focus for remembering something, usually a person (who has died) or an event.
The Hungarian Statue of Liberty lights up the night sky in Budapest.
Illinois remembers her favorite son, Abraham Lincoln, with a fitting memorial tomb in Springfield, Illinois.
Comic character Dick Tracy stands ready for action along Naperville, IL's Riverwalk.
New York city's memorial to those lost on 9/11.
John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd, aka Blues Brothers, are still alive & well at Chicago's Midway Airport.
Many memorials are temporary displays of patriotism for our fallen heroes.
MIMES
Someone who uses mime as a theatrical medium or as a performance art, involving miming, or the acting out a story through body motions, without use of speech.
Someone who uses mime as a theatrical medium or as a performance art, involving miming, or the acting out a story through body motions, without use of speech.
These two golden guys add quite a bit of sparkles to our trip to Salzburg, Austria.
There must be a big underground contingent in Bratislava given this unique piece of public art.
MURALS
Any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface.
Any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface.
Banksy is the premier graffiti artist, although this was not his work in Bratislava.
Getting our kicks!
Seeing more and more murals across in those little towns across Midwest.
MAGIC/MISCHIEF
To tickle one's fancy. That's my definition. Sorry Webster.
To tickle one's fancy. That's my definition. Sorry Webster.
This eagle 'bearly' got away at Illinois' Starved Rock state park.
They adhere to the 'apple a day keeps the doctor away' mantra BIG TIME at Kentuck Knob, PA!
Everything's coming up roses at Miami's Fairchild Gardens; and bugs!
The art of bamboo at Denver's Botanical Gardens.
All that salt air in Key West does a number on the cars down there.
Did you solve the riddle? You are so clever!
PUBLIC ART is free (at least for those on the viewing end), indispensable to city life, lifts up humanity, challenges the individual, humanizes the environment, offers a nexus for gatherings, and often tends to cause controversy.
I can't live without it! Which is probably why I'm drawn to take so many pictures of public art. Yes, I do have a tendency to take more pictures than most, but that's an entirely different post.
Public art has been around since man began walking upright, a reliable record of mankind’s time and place and artistic voice. Think ancient hieroglyphics, Egypt’s Pyramids, England’s Stonehenge, Ireland’s Newgrange, the Great Sphynx at Giza, Easter Island’s moai, Mexico’s Chichen Itza. So many places; so little time.!
PUBLIC ART is free (at least for those on the viewing end), indispensable to city life, lifts up humanity, challenges the individual, humanizes the environment, offers a nexus for gatherings, and often tends to cause controversy.
I can't live without it! Which is probably why I'm drawn to take so many pictures of public art. Yes, I do have a tendency to take more pictures than most, but that's an entirely different post.
Public art has been around since man began walking upright, a reliable record of mankind’s time and place and artistic voice. Think ancient hieroglyphics, Egypt’s Pyramids, England’s Stonehenge, Ireland’s Newgrange, the Great Sphynx at Giza, Easter Island’s moai, Mexico’s Chichen Itza. So many places; so little time.!
Took this picture back in 2004, before the pyramid was closed to tourists.
The first public artwork commissioned by the U.S. government was a statue of George Washington. Horatio Greenough’s 12-ton marble sculpture of America’s half-naked first president (Washington was decked out in sandals and a toga, based on Phidias' great statue of Zeus Olympios). Not surprisingly, the sculpture was hugely controversial. Ya think?!
By George, I think he's got it! I got it courtesy of Wikipedia.
Poor George started his vigil in the U.S. Rotunda in 1841 before relocating to the east lawn of the Capitol in 1843. He spent some time outside the U.S. Patent Office also before finding shelter in 1908 inside the Smithsonian, where he remained until 1964. Alas, his final resting place is the second floor of the Museum of History and Technology (now the National Museum of American History). May he rest in peace, without further controversy!
Horatio must have inspired Picasso. To quote Picasso, “Art is the elimination of the unnecessary.”
Of course it is when you’re a Cubist! No, I’m not saying Picasso is a ‘square,’ although in 1967 Chicagoans might have used that term, and a few more I can't mention here, when the first monumental Modern sculpture to be placed in Chicago's business 'Loop' was unveiled.
Horatio must have inspired Picasso. To quote Picasso, “Art is the elimination of the unnecessary.”
Of course it is when you’re a Cubist! No, I’m not saying Picasso is a ‘square,’ although in 1967 Chicagoans might have used that term, and a few more I can't mention here, when the first monumental Modern sculpture to be placed in Chicago's business 'Loop' was unveiled.
No clothes at all on this guy. Or is it a woman?
Yep; more controversy! The thousands gathered in Daley Plaza that day were puzzled by the abstract design. The Spanish artist never provided an explanation for his untitled artwork. The 50-foot, 160 ton Cor-Ten steel alien eventually came to simply be called “The Picasso.” Cor-Ten steel was the same material used in the exterior of Daley Plaza, both of which were fabricated at the U.S. Steel Company in Gary, Indiana.
Ah, ha! Perhaps Picasso did his homework after all. Kudos from this retired teacher!
Picasso’s gift to the city of Chicago (he refused the $100,000 commission) has become one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved icons; and the inspiration for over 100 pieces of public art that have followed in its wake.
I say, whatever adds richness to the experience of being alive is art.
Jimmy and I have seen and had a few rich ‘experiences’ of our own when it comes to public art and travel. Bet you were wondering when the travel part of today's post would show up, huh?
Ah, ha! Perhaps Picasso did his homework after all. Kudos from this retired teacher!
Picasso’s gift to the city of Chicago (he refused the $100,000 commission) has become one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved icons; and the inspiration for over 100 pieces of public art that have followed in its wake.
I say, whatever adds richness to the experience of being alive is art.
Jimmy and I have seen and had a few rich ‘experiences’ of our own when it comes to public art and travel. Bet you were wondering when the travel part of today's post would show up, huh?
 Push!  Is this a hold up?  Mirror, mirror, on the wall. . . |  Hello!  I see a big cavity!  Ooh, it's my lucky day! |
If art, public or otherwise, doesn't move me intellectually, emotionally, and yes, occasionally physically, then it's obviously not for me (or Jimmy or my father).
Really, I see no other way to freely lift humanity, challenge the individual, humanize the environment, cause controversy and otherwise offer a nexus for gathering.
I'm really feeling a connection with the word nexus!
Really, I see no other way to freely lift humanity, challenge the individual, humanize the environment, cause controversy and otherwise offer a nexus for gathering.
I'm really feeling a connection with the word nexus!
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