Shark Fin Car

I don't know anything about this car, but it is pretty awesome, if you ask me. 

Every year the rolling sculpture show in downtown Ann Arbor is fun way to spend a few hours. Unfortunately you don't see things of this magnitude, but maybe in the future....

If anyone knows about this car, please let me know as I'd like to give them credit for this masterful piece.

World Largest Bird Feeder

What is this, you ask? Why is the title the worlds largest bird feeder? 

Well, the building exterior is made of corn husks. It is found in Mitchell, South Dakota. Each year, a new design is drawn on the walls and corn that is grown for this yearly event are used to create the image. The photo of the mural is one of the latest creations.

There is a specific farmer that is in charge of growing the corn. It is a specific careful process to keep the colors true to form and that all of the kernels are the same color. They are sawed in half, the ends trim and air gunned to the wall.

Come the colder months, the birds eat the corn off of the walls. Then it is time to start over again. How is that for an example of public art?

BIG...FAST...SLIPPERS!

This may be even more unusual than the cupcake cars. Only because they are a matching pair.

I don't know much about them. But under my definition, they do qualify as public art. And MOVING public art at that!

Theo Jansen

This is an picture of Theo Jansen standing in front of one of his works of art. The piece on the bottom shows his walking creatures. They are made from recycled electrical wiring from the Netherlands. 

I had the opportunity to hear him speak today in Ann Arbor. Watching his pieces move is like watching a prehistorical animal move. Or how you would imagine it would have moved. It is mechanical yet graceful in an almost unmeasurable way. 

Here is his website. This video explains how his work is made and functions. It is amazing to watch. Here is a shorter version just showing the movement. And here, another piece that is covered, as shown in the top photo. 

Amazing work! Love it!

Awesome!

These pieces are done by an artist named Geoffrey Gorman who is represented by the Jane Sauer Gallery in Sante Fe, New Mexico. I know they aren't public art, but I loved them enough to pass them along anyway. I am exceedingly fond of three dimensional textile art especially when animals are included. I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff. Add the cartoon element and I'm sold! I just wish I could call and say 'sold!' to the gallery....