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?

Horses in town?

I love a surprise! I've been meaning to document this for some time. This is at the end of a short alley in downtown Ann Arbor. I love this little treat that cheers me up every time I walk by. Little unexpected finds (even if they are now known) make an urban area more appealing and fun. The fact that this appears to be a horse family makes it that much more charming. 

A small collection

I rescued these from a neighbors patio when he moved out of my condo complex. He had a 3 year old son and had painted these for him. Unfortunately the father was diagnosed with lung cancer (never a smoker) and he was forced to move. 

When he left I didn't want to see these buried or lost so I brought them home. I've always loved painted rocks. They are such an unexpected pleasure when looking at a garden. Right now they are waiting for warmer weather, just like the rest of us....

The 2009 collection...

No, this piece is not part of a collection from a runway. It's not that kind of collection. It is part of Chris Roberts-Antieaus work and she refers to it as part of her "2009 collection". 

Anyway, I've been a fan of her work for some time. She is in the Original Ann Arbor Art Fair every year and is often the featured artist on their promotional materials. She has a following all over the county.

I prefer her animal themes, which she seems to be getting away from. I have two pieces. 'Long Dog' given to me by a friend and 'Growling Puppy' that I bought several years ago. 

However, if someone where to offer this to me, I'd take it in a heart beat. I love it's size and of course, it is a water theme. Water is what relaxes me. Plus, it is the quintessential hallway piece. It is hard to find something that can command small spaces. This would do it.  

Knitting for pets!

I've always thought that knitting would be fun, but have never been inspired until now. 

These are photos of some of the items you can learn how to knit in a book called, "Pet Projects: The Animal Knits Bible" by Sally Muir and Joanna Osbourne. I might just have to pick up a copy for myself. Maybe just the book, but I'm considering needles too!

When Bear and Cooper where alive, I saved Bears hair (he had so much of it)! I always had this idea of weaving his hair into yarn and then knitting a sweater. Well, they are both gone now, but I still have Bears hair. Maybe I could knit a sweater for Mr. Knuckles?

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?

What do you think, is this art?

This was forwarded to me the other day. Apparently this is a very effective form of speed control. 

People approach the "pot hole" and slow way down so as not to damage their car. They then position their car to straddle the hole and are jubilant when they make it across without feeling a bump. 

I find this humorous and rather cleaver at the same time. This is a creative way to make a living and at the same time make driving safer as long as one doesn't get rear ended while showing down!

This reminds me of a take on Julian Beever's chalk work. He would spend hours drawing on pavement and asphalt creating images that were mind bending. I wonder if who ever created this, saw his work and realized they couldn't spend hours drawing on the pavement , so they came up with this version instead.

Graffiti Ordinance

Here is the graffiti ordinance for Ann Arbor.

(1) "Graffiti" means any mark or marks on any surface or structure made without the prior permission of the property owner and made in any manner, including but not limited to, writing, inscribing, drawing, tagging, sketching, spray-painting, etching, scratching, carving, engraving, scraping, or attaching. Chalk marks on sidewalks in not "graffiti." "Graffiti" does not include any attaching which is permitted under Chapter 82, Section 7:102(3).

(2) No person shall apply graffiti to any surface or structure.

(a) Community service that is as relevant and appropriate to the violation as possible;

(b) Restitution;

(c) A fine of not more than $500 plus costs.

(3) The victim may proceed with any private right of action provided under law against a person who has applied graffiti or the parent or guardian of a minor.

Okay, so it looks like all one has to do is say they approved the work if they like it and want to keep it or are not interested in covering it up. Seems like a big loop hole to me. (See below.)

Bubble Gum Alley

Take a close look. It will become evident why this space has been nicknamed bubble gum alley. Yep. There are hundreds of pieces of bubble gum stuck to this wall. 
So the question is, does this count as graffiti? The new ordinance passed making it the owners responsibility to remove graffiti in several days (I can't remember the exact number). 

But back to my question. Is this graffiti? It is located in an alley that had paintings done on the walls that were someones artwork that had been approved. It survived in pretty good shape until someone came and "white washed" some of the walls and then all kinds of stuff I would call graffiti appeared. Then it started to spill over into this area. Personally I love this and think of it as art on a collaborative level, even if ones only contribution is a wad of gum. 

But again, is this graffiti? I'm at a loss as how one defines that? I guess I should read the ordinance to see how they define it. I'll look into that and check back in. Hopefully with more images of "graffiti".

Art in winter

My dog, Cooper passed away a couple of weeks ago which means I haven't been out walking anymore. I used to carry my camera with me and would snap shots on our walks all over town. Hence, I haven't had much to report as I have been hibernating in my house. 

It was been really cold, tops 20 degrees, so even going for a short walk seems unnecessary. And frankly after walking three times a day, every day for the past 14 years, it seems natural to want to stay in. I'll get another dog - I will always have dogs in my life - but for now, until I'm ready, my art finds have been limited.

This chicken in not one of them. I found this on the Internet on one of my favorite blogs that I follow. But I loved this. I've always been intrigued by recycled art. Who would have thought that old curlers would make good fodder for sculpture? Apparently this person and I think he/she was right!

Black Eyed Susan skeletons

Even in winter, the remainders of falls beauty remain breathtaking. I wish I had taken a close up of these. They really are gorgeous. Especially with their little snow capped tops! Look for beauty and it can be found in many places.

Political Cartoon

What will happen to the political cartoonists if papers go under? 

Ed Stein, this author, is one of my favorites. I guess I'll have to look on line if that happens.

The good news is then they could be in color all of the time!

Surprise!

I found this monkey in a tree on the west side of town. It is the work of a resident who just likes placing surprises around the community.

The interesting thing is when I mentioned it to folks who lived in the area, they hadn't noticed it. I assume these people also don't have art on their walls. 

How can you not see this? That is, unless art is not important to you. And those poeple are probalby confused that I would call this art in the first place. 

Folks need better imaginations!

Moving Art!

These kinetic sculptures are constructed by Andrew Carson from Washington state. He says his interest is not in metal itself, but in what it can become if assisted by the wind, water, or the environment. All of the materials used in the installations are intricately cut, forged, hammered, and patinated by hand. He designs each piece to fit into the environment it is going to be placed in.

There is a mesmerizing video showing pieces displayed in Vail, Colorado in action. They are not these pieces, but better. Click here to see them.

You never know what you'll find....

I found this while I was taking a short cut through an alley in downtown Ann Arbor the other day. I have mixed feelings about graffiti. I personally love well done pieces like this one. I get very annoyed at tagging for taggings sake. 

But the real dilemma for me is when this is done on private property. No one has the right to deface another persons building. Imagine the outcry if this was done on someones car. No doubt someone would notify the authorities quickly. But would they do the same for a building? Oddly we don't take the vandalism as seriously when it occurs to fixed property. Why is that?

Currently Ann Arbor is entertaining the thought of adding a graffiti removal ordinance. It would require property owners to remove graffiti within a proposed amount of time or face a fine. Ypsilanti has one of these in place currently. This seems to be punishing the wrong party for the defacement. I understand the importance of removing graffiti as soon as possible as it is a deterrent to repeat hits. But what if you like the graffiti? What is you consider this a piece of art and you like it? I'll bet no one has considered that aspect. 

In fact that is how Jean-Michel Basquait got his start. He painted walls in alleys and anywhere else he could. They became so valuable that people looked at removing portions of buildings. Unfortunately he died of a heroine overdose when he was 27, otherwise who knew what would have happened?

North Pole Express

I spotted this mailbox the other day. It seems to have appeared out of no where. Santa must have delivered it in the early morning while everyone was asleep. Or perhaps the post office handles this? I'm unclear on this. In either case, I hope the letters to Santa arrive on time. 

On that note, I'll have to check on Christmas day to see if it is still there. What happens if it is? Do things posted after the 24th counts for the following year? I suppose that depends upon if you have been naughty or nice! 

This topiary is found at the National Museum in Bangkok. I've always been found of this type of art. It takes patience and time with a good imagination to envision what a plant could be. 

I also love elephants, so it was a no brainer for me!

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....

Parco dei Mostri

Planning a trip to Italy anytime soon? 

Then perhaps you would want to add visiting the Monster Garden in Bamarzo, Italy to your agenda. 

These are a sampling of what can be seen in this unsettling garden. To view more click on this link.  I know I'm going to add it to my list. 

Not surprizingly, it inspired work by Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau (famous film maker in

France) to name a few. One can easily see where the Dali influence came from.

Oh, it is a scary time here in the U.S.A.

I find this kind of funny. Especially since I am from Michigan, which, of course, makes it all the more personal. Sarah Palin is one scary woman. I've been referring to her at this generations Phylis Schaffley. She most certainly does not speak for me. I find her policies and beliefs almost always contrary to mine and completely inflexible. 

I don't want someone who can't negotiate and work with folks making decisions in the white house. This to me is her greatest flaw. Along with the appearance that she is just a puppet that has been manipulated to the point that she has allowed herself to appear stupid to the public. At some point one needs to decide that answering a question as simple as "What newspapers do you read", is okay and there is no wrong answer unless it is the National Enquirer. 

It baffles the mind. For more unflattering portraits click here.

Dia De Los Muertos

One of my favorite holidays is coming up fast!

November 1st is Day of the Dead, or in Spanish, Dia De Los Muertos. Contrary to the look of the art, which some find unnerving, it is a happy holiday where the life of the person who has passed on is celebrated.

There are parties to celebrate and it is also common to decorate the grave of loved ones.

Sometime in my lifetime I will visit Mexico during this holiday. These pieces are from my personal collection, so they are not public, but it is a holiday that the public participates in. Keep your eyes open. It is becoming more and more common here in the U.S. 

Enjoy!