Irene Pushes Rhino Around

Storm damage, Takoma Park style: Rhino rests on side.

Hurricane Irene, aside from knocking over quite a few trees in the Takoma Park area, also tipped over my favorite rhino sculpture.  My hope is that his wounds are mild and his pink rhino self will be up and about in short order.

In good news, other yard art appeared unaffected.

Yard art still secured amid mulch.

 

Alien Egg Hatching in Takoma Park

Another great reason to live in Takoma Park: the alien egg hatching.

Right near the Takoma Park Silver Spring Coop, you can find Alison Baker's phenakistascope (early animation device) "The Amazing Alien Egg."  The sculpture is one of seven, all made from old bicycles, now on display in Takoma Park.

Phenakistascope "The Amazing Alien Egg" created by Alison Baker

When you put your eye up against the Big Eye on the bike's back wheel and turn the pedal, you get to see this:

Yes, there is some gratuitous use of film effects in there.  Who knew what fun the freebie software contained? 

For more information on reCYCLE The Art of Bike Project and locations of other sculptures, check out this link: http://www.mainstreettakoma.org/files/ReCycleMap.pdf.

New Year's photos, Takoma Park

As many people know, I'm fond of the town in which I live, Takoma Park, MD.  Here are some photographic reasons as to why (please forgive gray lighting - twas overcast today):
  

This truck, often parked in my neighborhood, makes me
want to Eat More Kale.  I don't even like kale. 

 


The Lawn Art House

 

Because what says Christmas more
than a kangaroo with a child in its
pouch wearing a Santa hat?

 

Polar bear with faces.  Does that
mean he ate the people?

 

Floating baby heads

 




 

A few houses down, a pink rhino grazes.



The porch mannequins down the street are
festooned with lights for the season. Their
garb changes for every holiday.

Someone took a cart most,
but not all of the way home. 

Why do I fit in Takoma Park?  Why, because I spent a portion of New Year's eve afternoon making these:
 

Psycho Smile Suncatcher

Fetch! Camel Dog Suncatcher

So far, I'm only happy with the fact that the copper circle on the second one is more seamlessly connected.  Less hideous versions are being considered as I experiment with my materials further. 




Finally, a gratuitous experiment in posting video.  The happy babbling of Sligo Creek: