Tag Archives: Cambridge
Lively Large Creatures, Past and Present, Greet Us from a Lawn in Cambridge
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.
KENDALL SQUARE ART WALK: A Great Way to Find and Focus on Public Art
For countless years I’ve wandered around Kendall Square in Cambridge to locate murals, sculptures, and other outdoor art to post about. Now a new numbered map and list from THE ART WALK PROJECT provides a much-needed self-guiding resource. KENDALL SQUARE ART WALK has already proven its worth for me, with exciting promises ahead! Here are two sample discoveries from January 1, 2024, late afternoon in Kendall Square: a recent mural by Sophy Tuttle and a long-standing sculpture by Chris Williams,
Remember to Look Up at Memorial Hall, Harvard University
Many concerts and other memorable events have marked my good luck of living a few blocks from Memorial Hall* for more than five decades. But this winter was the first time I walked around the whole building looking up and taking photos in wonder at the multitude of marvels. My mission had been to focus on the handsome brick designs, yet metal, stone, tile and glass all called for admiration.
*“Memorial Hall, immediately north of Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a large High Victorian Gothic building honoring Harvard men’s sacrifices in defense of the Union during the American Civil War—”a symbol of Boston’s commitment to the Unionist cause and the abolitionist movement in America.””
“Edge of the Forest,” Steel Sculpture by Mark Reigelman Stands Twelve Feet Tall in Vellucci Community Plaza, Inman Square, Cambridge
Here are a few photos from late summer, 2023, soon after the giant deer was installed in Inman Square. I still hope to do a sequel post with perspective on the whole plaza, but these current quotes and links add fascinating facts about the sculpture and the sculptor!
Small Sample of Spectacular Response to a Halloween Theme, Spider Apocalypse
Almost every September for many years, kids and adults on my street have met to choose a Halloween theme. The choice determines numerous creative activities, thoughtful plans, and devoted efforts that culminate in three memorably intensive hours on Halloween night. Almost every November I review my photos from that night while pondering how, why, and whether to post on ART OUTDOORS about the impressively plentiful temporary art.
Finally this November ( 2023) I have put together a post, limited to images in waning daylight before the surge of action, music, drama, and festive interaction with costumed, curious visitors. So here, without my usual captions, links, quotes, and notes, are glimpses of the great results produced by neighbors of all ages.
New Pemberton Street Mural Engages All Ages, as Creators and Viewers
“The Pemberton Street Mural was designed by Cambridge artist Whitney Van Praagh in collaboration with Alex Adamo and Kit Collins, with additional artistic contributions from many local residents and Cambridge youth. The mural was funded through the City of Cambridge Participatory Budgeting Process and supported by Cambridge Arts.” ( quote from Cambridge Arts calendar, October 2023)
My photos here are from one day when the Pemberton Mural was almost finished ( October 10) and another day soon after completion (Oct 26).
Double Delight and Much More in Mural Art by Jessie and Katey at Kendall Center, Cambridge
Silly to keep waiting for all construction in Kendall Plaza to stop obstructing parts of Jessie and Katey’s brilliant designs on two main entries there. September 2021 was the celebration of completion; but after four visits since then, I am deeply impressed with the vitality they add to often disrupted surroundings.
Amal, Twelve Feet Tall, Set Out from Massachusetts in September on a Two-Month Walk West across the Country
Here are moments from the one event I experienced. It forcefully conveyed the effort and impact of Amal’s many visits throughout that first day. Greg Cook’s Wonderland post is a wonderful visual document of those starting events in Boston and Cambridge. The title is Little Amal, Giant Puppet Depicting Refugee Girl, Begins Journey Across U.S. Be sure to link to that! Then for a full overview with important details, past, present, and future of Amal’s walks since 2021, delve into Walk with Amal! (maintained by The Walk Productions and Handspring Puppet Company)
Explore All Sides of Xinan Ran’s Collaborative Textile Sculptures Outside Harvard Museums of Science and Culture
Lucky to live near these three colorful sculptures swaying beneath their trees, I hope to revisit many times and stand inside for their stunning views. Now that I’ve sensed their sustaining presence, I want to quickly spread the word to anyone who has the chance to visit or connect somehow. The quotes and links here should explain enough to draw you in.
Tent by Liz Shepherd and Suzanne Moseley is an Impressive, Inspiring Work of Art
As artists in residence 2023 at Mass Audubon’s Magazine Beach Nature Center in Cambridge, Liz Shepherd and Suszanne Moseley created a unique, multipurpose tent, rich in images of local plants and animals. Their focus through the traditional photographic process called cyanotype ( or blueprinting) reveals an amazing array of hues from deep blue to bright white. Explore all four sides for fascinating features of nearby nature. Discover even more when you enter and experience how sunlight shines through various fabrics. And be sure to look up and appreciate what wings can do!
Art Outdoors 