7/27/2006: Interesting/funny public statues/sculptures

axlrosen points to this collection of funny/strange statues around the world.



Hard to pick a few of these; it's worthwhile checking out the whole lot.



One can debate about the nature of these sculptures, but here in Philly, I think debate over the public art has largely been outweighed by the value in them as interesting works and landmarks. People never forget the LOVE statue or the Oldenburg clothespin. It makes for a better place... as long as it's good work. They make us think differently about where we live. Thumbs up.

KC has at least two such controversial pieces...the Oldenburg shuttlecocks...



And the Sky Stations installation at our convention center...(which, BTW, I drive under each and every work day)



I love the shuttlecocks, but I only like the Sky Stations installation at night. The rest of the time, I hate it, especially the part that looks like a big turnstile or a hair curler. There are similar opinions regarding the shuttlecocks as well...love 'em or hate 'em.

I think that means that both installations are doing what art is supposed to do...make you think. Spur a thought. Coax a memory, an opinion, a discussion. Make you feel *something*.

KC is fortunate to have an incredible art gallery, but more important, a thriving art sensibility. I'd hate to live somewhere where that wasn't true.

Amarillo, Texas has the Cadillac Ranch:
http://www.texastwisted.com/attr/cadillacranch/
...a "Stonehenge" made out of old Cadillacs, partially buried.

It turns out, we're not alone:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/OVERhenges.html
(my favorite: "Stonefridge" in Santa Fe, New Mexico)

We (Washington DC) have The Awakening.

This is an odd sight approaching as you leave Wendover headed east on I-80.
Some call it the 'tree of life', others the 'tree of Utah' and still others just call it the 'Ball Tree'

The "Ball Tree" reminds me of Reunion Tower in Dallas, Texas:
http://home.flash.net/~crenshaw/reuniontower.html
...not exactlt a "sculpture" but still pretty neat.

This is the most recognizable one in Minnesota. Can't even think of what it would be in CA... perhaps those damn Peanuts statues all around.

There's some really cool statues in pittsburgh in the Cultural District, but the only pictures I can find are small and they don't open when you click on them. This is the only picture that I could find of one area http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/AAB1499.php

There's another place that is really cool, but I can only fin it on the bad Cultural District website. http://www.pgharts.org/art/parklet.php I personally like the labrynth

This is near my house:

Anyone have a picture of the Free Stamp in Cleveland?

Here is one.

here in the UK we have the Angel of the North http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%20and%20Culture/Angel/Home.aspx



and the B of the Bang


http://www.bofthebang.com/


I'm all for public art.... adds a bit of zest to liife

They don't have to be huge. I love the cows, pigs, mules and what not, different cities have done in the last few year.

Oh, welcome to the Cellar, Jilly :D ....condolances on the Cleveland thing.

This one's pretty funny, not for the statue but for the context.

Happy Monkey wrote:

This is near my house:

I worked in that bldg for two years. Had I known you were that close, I'd have bogarted your woodshop to build the shelves I built last year in the garage. But I did learn an important lesson. I learned that two recycling bins + a circular saw are NOT equal to a table saw.

Thanks xo, been a lurker for a long time.

:) I shudder to think what appendage you lost. You ARE typing, are you not?

Beestie wrote:

I worked in that bldg for two years. Had I known you were that close, I'd have bogarted your woodshop to build the shelves I built last year in the garage. But I did learn an important lesson. I learned that two recycling bins + a circular saw are NOT equal to a table saw.

Yikes! Were you trying to hold the circular saw stationary between the bins, or just using them as a pseudo-sawhorse?

Anyway, Heidilly hodilly neighborino!

We have these two ... only the best in Philadelphia, after all.

One of my favorites!

I don't know what's stranger, him peeing in the fountain, or the hose up his butt? :haha:

At least we know what it is, rather than a ball of stiff jeans.