George the Giraffe, Big Poppy, and Elly the Elephant still grace the Somerville Community Path on both sides of the Cedar Street intersection. More than five years have passed since they first mysteriously appeared.All three bright sturdy animal characters continue to turn delighted heads of people passing, in familiar greeting or surprise! Bikers, walkers, runners, and school groups still stop by to set them in motion, with a reliable, satisfying sense of effort. Now finally I feel free to confirm that Hayward Zwerling created them! A recent Globe article, April 2024, by Spencer Buell reveals their stories, with great supporting photos.My main goal here is to enthusiastically share links to the Globe article* and to valuable related resources ( videos, context) on Hayward Zwerling’s website.
Generations” – “Generaciones”i nstalled September 2023, Harbor St/Congress St, Salem:
Visits to “Generations” – “Generaciones” on site or online (or both, many times) will powerfully connect us to people and events in the history of a significant part of Salem. This mural is just one of many that David Fichter has designed for numerous communities to relate dramatic moments and human interactions in their history. Families, school groups, and anyone attentive to what’s happening up on the wall will find lots to enjoy and discuss! This post offers quotes, links, and photos that should lure you to explore “Generations” – “Generaciones !”
This third post about “TAPPED IN” completes my plan to focus on artwork by all ten artist-scientist pairs in the exhibit. The pairs represented here are Mags Harries/ Nadia Szeinbaum, Victor Pacheco /Paul Kirshen, and Casey Figueroa /Terrius Harris.
THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER, 40 STOW STREET, CONCORD, MA, APRIL 11 – JUNE 8, 2024
“The exhibit aims to touch hearts and minds, fostering change through art that visualizes the impact and implications of the scientists’ work.” ( quote from TAPPED IN , Umbrella Arts Center)
This second post about “TAPPED IN” opens with an update about important connections between the outdoor installation and the indoor gallery space. The indoor gallery presented images, materials and explanatory text for each outdoor artwork and the whole exhibit theme. In early May, all indoor elements for “TAPPED IN” gave way to a different exhibit in the gallery space. All outdoor art remains up through June 8. Key resources* for “TAPPED IN” continue on the Umbrella Arts website. However, one of the ten artist-scientist pairs’ work was only represented in the indoor space. That was the compelling wall display by Ilana Manolson with Janine Benyus.
The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street, Concord, MA, April 11 – June 8, 2024 “TAPPED IN” is an innovative art installation at the intersection of art and science that combines outdoor public art with an indoor educational gallery display. Inspired by the concept of ‘edges’ in ecosystems, “TAPPED IN” celebrates the dynamic intersections where diverse influences meet, bringing together ten artist-scientist pairs* to offer fresh perspectives on climate change, CO2 mitigation and action.”
Without the dramatic light changes of a total eclipse, this party in Kingsley Park offered creative ways to engage with and understand the significant event above us. I was impressed with the availability of learning resources and supportive volunteers. Here are a few photos of what I glimpsed when I wasn’t peering through eclipse glasses or other devices.
I have long planned and should soon include an ART OUTDOORS page for Utility Boxes as Public Art with resources about this special art form. The current post is a first step in committing to the plan.
Why are Utility Boxes Great Sites for Public Art? Six answers and several examples follow.
Art by Christos Hamawi ( Boston), Pom Poison ( Somerville, Laurie Bogdan, Karen McCarthy (Arlington), Molly Scannell ( Arlington)
WINTERACTIVE: A Canadian Art Experience in Downtown Boston January 17–April 14, 2024 With barely one month left for this innovative temporary display of sixteen outdoor artworks in Boston, here is my overdue post, with focus on a grand-scale whale and a giant guitar.
If you live near 101 Washington Avenue in Cambridge, you can still visit the colorful Coconut Crab by day or night. Otherwise, enjoy a few views here, with some clues to origins and purpose.
Also here are photos from December 2020 of another great greeter, Silly Frilly Lizard, more evidence that other fascinating creatures have and hopefully will grace the same lawn over time.
Seeing art from all sides is always a rewarding feature of deCordova Sculpture Park. These two recently installed artworks* offer revelations from such opportunities. Here are photos from walk-arounds of both neighboring artworks with notes, quotes, and links that add perspective.
*Huff and a Puff, Hugh Hayden; ^Temporal Shift, Alyson Shotz
Art Outdoors 