Snow day and public art exposures, #2

Having spent my teen years in Utah, where school is almost never canceled on account of weather, I am continually amused by the Seattle area's response to snow, which is usually some variant of "Frozen water falling from the sky... IT'S THE SNOWPOCALYPSE WE'REALLGONNADIE!!!!1!!" Yes, no matter how many times it happens, Seattle commences wetting its collective drawers from the moment the first furtive flakes drift down. Ah, that's entertainment.

Family and friends in Utah: you may think I jest. No, I have proof.

As I type, this is the winter wonderland that is our front yard.

And here is a handy-dandy ruler placed by Captain Midnight, allowing you to see the harrowing depth of our snowy peril.

You're reading it right. That's a scant half-inch of accumulation.

Miss V is currently rejoicing because they've shut down every school in the district tomorrow.

I don't get it either.

Anyway, I rolled my eyes and went out into the raging blizzard to snap some foties of local art.

This one, "A Helping Hand" by Judy Phipps, is just outside the firehouse.

At the moment, he looks like the go-to guy for a snowball fight.

Directly across from Mr. Helping Hand is the Firefighter's Bench by Michele van Slyke.

Both decorative and useful... but maybe more so on a warmer day.

Just outside city hall is this unusual installation of metal and dichroic glass: "Silver Thaw" by Ed Carpenter.

This piece is what got me thinking about municipal art blogging in the first place. Although I don't dislike it and I think it's aesthetically interesting, I'm not sure I'd describe it as beautiful. It is at least somewhat reminiscent of Concord, California's now-departed, highly-controversial art installation, "Spirit Poles" by Gary Rieveschl. The Poles, paid for with public funds, were widely despised by Concord's citizens and received many derisive nicknames ranging from "the knitting needles" to "Porcupine Plaza." When the huge aluminum poles began to develop cracks and fall over, they were swiftly removed by the city council.

"Silver Thaw" is definitely better-looking than "Spirit Poles," for what it's worth. It reminds me of the old straight razors used by Victorian barbers. (It's like a mighty tribute to Sweeney Todd.)

Also outside city hall is this small bronze statue, "Hunting Fox" by Tony Angell. The fox looked a little blind today...

...so I wiped the snow out of his eyes for him. Ah, much better.

A couple of beautiful wood carvings from the public library. This one is "Rivalry of the Winds"...

...and this is "Bird Woman." Both are by Dudley Carter.

Miss V got into the act, posing next to "Wisdom Seekers" on our way out of the library.

Will we make it through the Night of Snowpocalypse? Only time will tell!