Is that a bike?

I walked by this every day while I was in Charleston, SC on my way to a conference I was attending. I loved that it was randomly placed and different components needed for bicycles were used to make this. Just what was the inspiration? Who knows, but it made me smile every time. Love random.

It's a Flying Fish!

If I had a front porch!
Be da, be da, be da dum!
I would have a flying fish!
Be da, be da, be da dum!
But I don't, so I'll have to like this one!

I found this on the west side of town. I love it when art comes outside of the house, either on the lawn (see below) or on the porch. How nice to have a cup of coffee under this fish in the morning. Alas, I have no porch either....

Unusual Houses...

... make great public art!

If you have an extra $300,000 to spend and are willing to move to Festus, Missouri, than this home could be yours! If you are interested in learning more, it is listed on ebay.

I love the idea of living in a home like this. Creative, using the natural surroundings. Right up my alley. All except moving.... Not interested in that.

Whoever does, maybe they could hold Festivus parties (remember Seinfield?) in their new home in Festus. How fun would that be?

Dubai's Rotating Skyscraper

Four years ago, architect David Fisher was admiring the view from a friend's New York City apartment. "My friend said, 'Look at this view!' And I thought, Why can't we rotate the entire building so everybody can see?"

Construction begins soon in Dubai. This picture is a mock up of the building and how it will look as it rotates. There are 200 units on 80 floors, that will all have great views as the floors complete the 360 degree rotation. 

Wind turbines and solar cells positioned between each floor should provide enough electricity to power the entire building, and possibly others nearby. "This is not just a tower," says Fisher, "it is a green power plant."

Apartments in the Dynamic Tower range from $3 million to $30 million. There are over 1,100 people on the waiting list. However only 200 will be able to use the drive-in elevator that allows residents to park right outside their front doors. Conjures up interesting images about taking a spin in your sports car, doesn't it?

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?

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!

Who would have thought?

I noticed this piece above an entry way to a retail/housing building near the U of M Museum of Art. I don't know anything about it, but I liked it's surprise element. I'm always on the lookout for the unexpected.

A fun find!

Nature as art once again. I found this bird nest after a rain storm. It fell out of a tree and was adjacent to the path in the courtyard behind my home. I placed it atop this stone and it was left in place for weeks. It eventually fell off and is next to the rock. I've left it as is. It is beautiful to look at in detail as it it constructed of twigs, mud and other small found items. Finally, I'm happy to report that when it fell, the family had long since grown up and moved on.

An American House

This is a pre-fabricated house designed and constructed by William E. Massie. He is an award winning Architect in residence and Head of the Department of Architecture at Cranbrook Academy of Art. The home was constructed his home in Pontiac, Michigan and then assembled on site on the Cranbrook campus. It is an example of Massie's innovative computer based fabrication technology used for efficient, precise and customized buildings.

The house will be on display until October 31st. The original plan was to allow folks to walk the inside and truly experience the feel of the design. Unfortunately, the museum was unable to secure a certificate of occupancy. Now why they couldn't get a variance is beyond me. Sounds like there was some politics going on here. According to the website, tours begin August 1st, so maybe they have worked it out. Meanwhile, I wouldn't make a special visit to see this until you can go inside. But if you are in the area, it's worth a look.

Hidden treasurer's

My neighbors recently remodeled their home and have incorporated a form of public art into the day to day use of their home. The archway has revolving art tucked into the open space. 

So far they have had a leprechaun and the bunny. They need other ideas, so I'm on the lookout for other hidden treasurer's for the unusual place.

2008 Zaragoza Expo

This is a giant sculpture found in Zaragoza, Spain for their 2008 Expo. This event runs through September 14, 2008 and focuses on the timely themes of water and sustainable development.

There are over 3,400 performances by 350 international troupes and talents ranging from Cirque de Soleil to Bob Dylan to Daniel Barenbosim. (Who?) 

But the signature edifice is the Water Tower. It houses two sculptures and has a cafe at the top of the 250 foot building. This image is of a splash of water is sculpture form. 

This sure makes me want to go visit and to climb the alphabet and the tower!

A Garden View Like No Other!

Now here is a garden view that one has to be there to appreciate. This amazing structure is found in London at the Kew Gardens. It is 59 feet tall and 656 feet in length. 

It was designed by Marks Barfield Architects to show how the treetop walkway enables visitors to enter the canopy of sweet chestnuts, limes and deciduous oaks to see birds, insects, lichens and fungi rely upon them.

As well as getting close to the trees, the structure promises a bird's-eye view of the site and the London skyline, including the Gherkin building and Wembly Stadium. That is when the weather and leaves agree to share their views.

Kew Gardens, which covers some 326 acres of meticulously manicured lawns, flower beds, green house, and forest, attracts more than one million visitors a year. At $25.50 (American) that's quite a bountiful harvest!