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

Undertoad · 07-27-2006, 11:08 AM

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.

Elspode · 07-27-2006, 12:47 PM

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.

Flint · 07-27-2006, 01:19 PM

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)

glatt · 07-27-2006, 01:21 PM

We (Washington DC) have The Awakening.

Target · 07-27-2006, 02:50 PM

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'

Flint · 07-27-2006, 02:54 PM

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.

WabUfvot5 · 07-27-2006, 03:20 PM

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.

bbro · 07-27-2006, 03:40 PM

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

Happy Monkey · 07-27-2006, 03:49 PM

This is near my house:

Jilly · 07-27-2006, 03:55 PM

Anyone have a picture of the Free Stamp in Cleveland?

Jilly · 07-27-2006, 03:57 PM

Here is one.

JayMcGee · 07-27-2006, 06:07 PM

here in the UK we have the Angel of the North http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%...ngel/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

xoxoxoBruce · 07-27-2006, 07:59 PM

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

....condolances on the Cleveland thing.

axlrosen · 07-27-2006, 08:49 PM

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

Beestie · 07-28-2006, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

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.

07-27-2006, 11:08 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	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.

07-27-2006, 12:47 PM	#2
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	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. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog Last edited by Elspode; 07-27-2006 at 12:57 PM.

07-27-2006, 01:19 PM	#3
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	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) __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

07-27-2006, 01:21 PM	#4
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	We (Washington DC) have The Awakening. Attached Images

07-27-2006, 02:54 PM	#6
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	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. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

07-27-2006, 02:50 PM	#5
Target Fellow-Commoner Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 10	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'

07-27-2006, 03:20 PM	#7
WabUfvot5 Operations Operative Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 634	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.

07-27-2006, 03:40 PM	#8
bbro Insert witty comment here Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,182	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

07-27-2006, 03:49 PM	#9
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	This is near my house: __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

07-27-2006, 03:55 PM	#10
Jilly Melancoly Baby Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 21	Anyone have a picture of the Free Stamp in Cleveland?

07-27-2006, 03:57 PM	#11
Jilly Melancoly Baby Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 21	Here is one.

07-27-2006, 06:07 PM	#12
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	here in the UK we have the Angel of the North http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%...ngel/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 __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

07-27-2006, 07:59 PM	#13
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	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 ....condolances on the Cleveland thing. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 07-28-2006 at 06:37 AM.

07-27-2006, 08:49 PM	#14
axlrosen Major Inhabitant Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 125	This one's pretty funny, not for the statue but for the context. __________________ Warp Bill Gates

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