Well now, who (what!) do we have here? Why, it appears as if someone is a rather brave (or crazy) soul, doesn’t it? The first time I saw this ‘art’ I was taken aback. From a distance it certainly seems that someone has clearly went out on a limb. However, after ‘steadying’ myself for a moment, I realized it’s not a thrill seeker at all; why, it’s a piece of art!
Here is a closer look so you can have a better gaze at this startling steep-walker:
This begs the question, “Why?” Ah, I have an interesting answer to this pondering! In the name of public art, the City of Evanston, Illinois placed this spunky silhouette on top of this building (there is a similar statue balancing its steel frame at the other end of ‘the beam’). The art, entitled, “Encounter” shows the two figures purportedly walking toward each other on a plank. The meaning behind this is to exemplify people from different backgrounds and cultures coming together as what occurs in ‘real’ life; we encounter each other while walking along the sidewalk, going out for dinner, or perhaps taking in a movie.
They say (whoever, “they” are!) that art imitates life; let me be clear about this. You will never, EVER catch me up on a rooftop beam balancing myself in a flying Wallenda-style maneuver! What about you?
I’ll go up there! lol I bet that creates quite the scene with tourists!
Oh I KNOW you’d go up there! *looks up at Andy, gets dizzy, sits down and waits*! I think it does, Andy! It did with me the first time I saw it! Let’s just say I was a bit, ‘freaked’! ;-P Cher xo
lol did you think someone was actually up there? 😄😄
*Looks up, looks down, whistles, hums* um, no?? ;-P ;-P cher xo
I bet this was a traffic stopper when it first was installed.
Oh yes, I agree! I think it must have been! And here’s an interesting piece of info.: to tie in with your comment, the art is above a parking garage!! *LOL* You’d need to park after seeing it? *grin* Cher xo
I wonder if they’ve ever got any 911 calls for it?
It’s certainly an interesting concept. 🙂
Hope you have a wonderfully balanced day, Cher. 🙂
Big hugs, Donna xo
I wonder that too, Donna!! I mean, from a distance it really appears as if it is ‘someone’, not ‘something’! Ah, perfect; and to you as well my dear! Thank you!! Big hugs, Cher xo
We had something similar in London a few years ago, Cher.
However, they were not hanging off the roofs like the one in your picture. They were simply standing at the edge of rooftops looking over the city. They were made of steel but looked very real from a distance and did cause a few phone calls to the Police and Fire Brigade departments.
Oh did you, Hugh? I am sure they elicited a few phone calls of concern! Are they still there, Hugh? Cher xo
No, they’ve gone now, but here are some details of what they were, which I found for you, Cher.
http://www.theguardian.com/arts/gallery/2007/may/03/art
Hugs to you
xx
Why thank you so much, Hugh! That is so sweet! I shall take a look right now! Hugs to you too my dear, Cher xo
Very cool, Hugh! Thank you again! Cher xo
You’re very welcome, Cher. Have a great weekend.
And to you as well, Hugh!! xo
Wow, that’s really cool!
It is cool, isn’t it, Erika? Cher xo
Very cool! Thank you for sharing this all, Cher! 💐
Very cool but creepy too. 😲
I have a say for that kind of thing, John; I refer to it as, “creepy neat”! 🙂 I think this art falls into that category! Cher xo
Reblogged this on georgeforfun.
They have similar statues in New York – I was worried it was a real person at first!
Oh do they, Suzie? I did not know that! Truth be told, that is the exact same reaction I had when I first saw it! In fact, I recall literally stopping on the sidewalk and staring at it until I realized it was not a person! Cher xo
I think they were done by Anthony Gormley? They certainly made me do a double take!
Hugh posted this link for me the other day, Suzie: it’s also Anthony Gormley’s work! My goodness, I can see why you did a double take!! http://www.theguardian.com/arts/gallery/2007/may/03/art
That’s it – there are similar figures near the Flatiron
They are eerily realistic! They should come with a warning label! 😉
Haha!
🙂
This is why I like Evanston. They have some good shops, and they frighten the crap out of the locals every so often.
Boy, oh boy, do we ever have similar senses of humor!!!! *LOL* Agreed! Cher xo
I wonder what people’s reactions where when it very first appeared!? I think the person looks suicidal and not connected to any one at this angle – weird.
There is another statue like it on the other side of the building. In my photo, it is not visible, but when you see the whole thing from a distance, the ‘pole’ ‘they’ are walking on and the two statues are all visible, making it much more understandable. However, when I first saw it, oh my goodness! I honestly thought it was someone walking around and I was a tad worried, I must say! I think others feel the same! Cher xo