Giant Cattle!

There is nothing that catches my eye quicker than art placed in unusual places. Discovering an unexpected piece in non-traditional surroundings is pure joy for me.

These large cattle sculptures, by Peter Woytuk, are fabulous! I love animal art and the bigger the better! If I had the money and space, I would  have a huge piece of land full of fauna and sculptures. 

The closest I've come to mimicking my ideal, is at a gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan that has just such an area. The home functions as a traditional gallery and the backyard is a garden that has winding paths with outdoor art interspersed. It is unusual, beautiful, calming and I am envious. That would be one of my biggest dreams, to live in a home like that. Hmmm.

Play with your food, please!

This is Russell Timerman who entered the Creative Fruits and Vegetable Competition at the 51st Annual 4-H Youth show at the Farm Council Grounds in Washtenaw County.

He used cauliflower, black olives, black eyed peas, and four cinnamon sticks to create this flock. To hold the sheep together, he used toothpicks and cream cheese. They are standing on coconut dyed green for their pasture. He was awarded an honorable mention for the second best creative effort among 20 entrants. 

Next year I will have to make a point to go see this. What fun! Makes me wonder what first prize looked like.

Good job Russell! I love your flock!

More sidewalk chalk art!

This is David Zinn. He was featured in The Ann Arbor News today. He is an artist that draws for Recycle Ann Arbor ReUse Center. Anyone who uses the recycle bins has seen his art.

He also likes to draw on sidewalks, similar to Julian Beever. He does this around his home that is near Bach Elementary School. This is the only sidewalk chalk drawing of his that I could find. He has a website that shows his other work and is 'under construction', so we can hope that there will be more to come.

An unusual flock

If you look closely you'll see that these sheep are made entirely of old recycled telephones. I love it when folks find a second use for an otherwise outdated item. 

These are the creation of Jean Luc Cornec's and were first featured at the Museum fur Kommunikation in Frankfurt, Germany in 2006. 
The ability to see materials outside of their traditional roles is key to reducing the mass of products our society currently consumes. It assists in helping people make the connection of what happens at the end of a products use. Rather than dispose of it, look for ways to reuse it or in the best of circumstances anticipate it's second use upon design. This work did a good job of the former. What a creative mind!

Nature is art!

I took this photo early spring and just found it. I have acquired a taste for Red Bud trees. Every time I saw one, I wanted to capture it in a photograph. This was one of my favorites as it has the buds on the trunk, which I have not seen before. With each passing year I appreciate nature more and more. It is the worlds canvas. (Yea. I know that's corny, but I couldn't help it.)

Sitting Lion

Okay. So, is this a lion? Or maybe a chinese foo dog? I'm not really sure, but I love him. 

This piece can be found at the stairway adjacent to the Cranbook Museum entrance.

The walls are made of some type of marble (I think).  I'm not sure what he is made of.  In any case, I love the fact that he is out in the open and available to touch. One doesn't often get the change to feel art. 

The Cranbrook campus has many pieces of sculpture, but this is my favorite. Stay posted for future items.

Bizzaro blow up

Dan Piraro, creator of the cartoon strip Bizarro, has gotten himself into a little heat from this cartoon. Many a reader has misinterpreted this and have been offended. 

There was a letter to the editor in my local paper complaining about this. I decided to see what I could find about the issue and discovered a blog by the artist. He states, "contrary to what people assumed, this cartoon is not intended to make light of slavery or racism. My intention was to point out that modern "feel good" marketing techniques are no more honest than this kind of technique would have been during legal slavery in America. My earnest apology goes to anyone who misinterpreted it."

Mr. Piraro is a vegan and outspoken advocate for animal rights. He uses his art to make his position known and to help people understand the plight animals face in order to feed us. I am a big fan of his art. I find it humorous and right on the mark. Go, Dan, go! Those that are offended should take a closer look at their life and re-evaluate what is really offensive about this piece.

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.

Slightly creepy art

These little tiny babies are made of polymer clay. The artist name is Camille Allen and her art has been the subject of a hoax. 

There is an email circulating claiming these are made of marzipan. The writer asks who could eat them? It was a good hoax because I fell for it. Then I looked a little further....

However, I have to say I do still find them a little creepy even if they aren't made of frosting.

Art & Bi Bin Bap!

One of my favorite places for a quick delicious place to eat is Kosmos Deli in a small shopping district called Kerrytown. The food is cheap, healthy and delicious! 

Plus there is some pretty fun art on the ceiling as shown here in this photo. The artist name is Dylan Straynski. It makes me smile every

 time I stop in for a bite. Plus, as a bonus, they serve grown up ding-dongs! Yum!

Garden Art

Cooper (my dog) takes me on walks that often lead me to this garden. The rats were left by a friend of mine that randomly places them in this garden. 

The sad news is they have either been running away or are being ratnapped as they have disappeared unexpectedly.

Now these new members live further away from the hub-bub so as not to cause too much attention. 

We're keeping our eye on them!

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.

More water art!

These waterfalls are up and running to be seen through October 13, 2008 in the city of New York. They are found around the edges of New York city and are part of a public art fund that promotes public installations for over 30 years.

The installation at the Brooklyn Bridge is turning out to be one of the more popular. For a quick video, click here.

I need time and money to visit all of these wonderful places!

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!

Weird Fruit

What do you do with a horn melon? Good question. What an odd looking fruit. I guess it is, since it has seeds.

Anyway, apparently it tastes like cucumber with hints of line and melon. Just look at it to see that that makes sense. Once you cut it, you scoop out the translucent green jelly-like flesh. It is ideal for sauces and vinaigrettes. 

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!

Who Wants Chicken Feet? I do!

And just what are these? They look like chicken feet. Well, indeed they are. But they have another purpose too. 

They are candlesticks! If only I could afford them.... They are $395 for a pair.

I guess, there will be no chicken feet candlesticks in my vegetarian home.

More Latte art

Click on this link and watch a printer create an image in the foam of a latte. It takes about two minutes, but the end result is kind of fun!

Ann Arbor Summer Festival

It's that time of the year again! 

Ann Arbor comes alive at night for the 25th season of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival! 

Free music! Free movies! The outdoor festival begins June 13 th and ends on July 6th. The trend each year is to introduce free family friendly outdoor entertainment. This year Dream Engine is coming to enchant us all! They will be preforming outdoors June 25th through the 28th at evening performances. There are two shows one called Conedancers and the other is Heliosphere. It is sure to be a favorite among kids of all ages! 

Other options include bands and movies at dusk on the giant inflatable movie screen. There is also various performing artists playing in the Power Center which is adjacent to the festival location. The following link will connect you to all kinds of free and some paid options. Check it out!

And don't forget to support your local folks by purchasing food and beverages while at the festival. Don't forget that it is a"free" event, but it won't stay that way if you don't make donations and purchases. So, go have fun and keep this Ann Arbor treasure free!

Discovering Tin Tin!

I know it is difficult to see this painting well, but look close. It is a painting of one of my favorite childhood heroes... Tin Tin! His faithful dog, Snowy is prominently shown in the middle surrounded by other characters from the series. 

Tin Tin was created by Belgian artist, Herge. He developed the comic strip into a series of graphic novels long before the term was well known. Tin Tin is a young crime solver who went on wild adventures! He was a favorite of mine in sixth grade.

This painting is in a Mexican restaurant on Boston University's campus. When I asked why a Mexican restaurant had a Tin Tin picture, I was told it was left over from when it was a French restaurant. It was an oddity to discover and unfortunately (in my eyes), not well known (Tin Tin, not the restaurant which was mediocre at best). 

Boston's Food Project

On a recent trip to Boston, I visited the Food Project. It is an organization that teaches kids about making the connection of where food comes from and how it is grown and prepared. Kids who want to participate apply for the opportunity to learn how to plant and cultivate a garden. The photo here was taken in the heart of Boston. Each season 60 kids learn gardening techniques, leadership roles and teamwork skills. But it doesn't end at harvest. They also learn how to prepare the food and then offer it to the less fortunate and some of it is sold at the marketplace shown here. This is a highly competitive program that has been incredibly successful and rewarding. To learn more or to donate to the organization, click here.

Canstruction

These sculptures are part of an art competition that is held yearly and regionally called Canstruction. It was started as a foundation by the Society for Design Administration. 

The participants use canned food items to produce each sculpture. Once the judging and viewing are complete, the cans are donated to local food banks. Thus far this organization has donated over 10 million pounds of food to needy food banks that distribute the food to the emergency feeding programs, soup kitchens, the elderly and day care centers. 

This coming year there are around 100 different competitions scheduled in North America. Keep you eyes open for opportunities to compete and support this wonderful cause!

Green Roofs

Green roofs are all the rage currently. They promise to reduce your heating and cooling costs as well as prevent stormwater run off by using the water rather than putting it into the sewer systems. 

This picture is not the ideal image, but I liked the location of the roof. One could turn it into a vegetable or a flower garden. How convenient to access your roof for your dinner?! Or if it where a flower garden with tall plants what a view from the terrace below.

This use promises to be seen more and more as time goes by. I encourage all to view one for themselves if they have an opportunity!

The ever morphing rock sculpture

These rock and concrete sculptures are ever changing. Why? Because there is a war between the builder and the destroyer. 

They are just outside my office door and the builder recreates them after the destroyer tears them down. 

What on earth does the destroyer get out of this transaction? What does it say about a person who takes pleasure in demolishing the work of another? Sad commentary to be sure.

I'm keeping my eyes open to see who both of these folks are. A mystery to be solved! Stay tuned....

These pictures are NOT animated...

...your eyes are making them move. 

To test this, stare at one spot in each picture for a few seconds and everything will stop moving; or look at the black center of each circle in the first picture and it will stop moving; but when you move your eyes to the next black center, the previous one will move after you take you eyes away from it.

Kind of fun!