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Ketchup, Mustard, and Relishing Public Art

 



On August 14th I posted this (not tremendously good) photograph on Facebook with the words: 

True Confession - - I don’t remember seeing this before.




My concern was that it had been there quite some time and I hadn’t been paying attention. I hate it when that happens.

In fact, it was new. Although I couldn’t find the information at the time, it’s one of this year’s ARTSites sculptures. 

Columbia Association, Lake Elkhorn Park – Terrestrial Horizon by Chris Plaisted

And here is a much better photograph from the ARTSites website.


Photo property of Howard County Arts Council


I see a musical note that might be swimming through the water rather like a shark. Or a bunny rabbit with ears of differing length.  According to HoCoArts, 

Terrestrial Horizon is a striking, bright yellow sculpture of steel. Its vibrant color stands out against the backdrop of the greenery and sky, symbolizing hope and creativity. The elongated forms and delicate curves contrast sharply with the vastness surrounding it, effectively conveying the theme of human insignificance in the grand cosmos. 

Wow. I’ll never understand public art. And that’s probably a good thing, because it clearly encourages divergent thinking.

Terrestrial Horizon reminds me a bit of another well-known Columbia artwork. Can you think of what I mean? Hint: it’s red. I used to call it the Big Red Thing but that was before I knew it had a name.

It’s Sail, by James Robert Benson.



Photo property of the Columbia Association 

Depending on how long you have lived here, you will wonder either when this photograph was taken or why you’ve never seen this sculpture in that location.

That’s because Sail was originally located on the lawn next to to what was once known as The Rouse Building. (Now Whole Foods) It was moved from this site to make way for Millie Bailey Park. Some time later it reappeared near the intersection of Little Patuxent Parkway and South Entrance Road



Images from Downtown Columbia Partnership social media

I don’t want to suggest that I am an expert in placing public art and, more than that, I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. But I really disliked this location. It just didn’t feel worthy of the sculpture to me. Yes, I know, everyone’s a critic. (I also suspect that they re-seated it at least once after choosing this site. But I can’t prove it.)

Well it looks as though Sail has been having trouble getting comfortable*, because I saw it recently in an entirely new location.



I don’t know when it was moved and I suspect I wasn’t paying attention in this case, because it’s already featured on the Merriweather District website.  Who knows? Maybe it’s gradually trying to make its way home?




Why do I find them similar? 


Well, they are both brightly colored, probably made of the same material, and I feel like they are from the same school? genre? style? of public art. 

Looking at them side by side I can’t help but see a ketchup/mustard vibe going on. Can relish be far behind?




Just kidding. This is New Growth by Caroline Del Giudice. It’s located in Chandler Park in Detroit. I simply couldn’t resist the juxtaposition.

Question of the day: do you think that Sail will stay put or do you expect we will see it on the move before long?


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