Blogstalking Assignment #5 -- Statues

This is Indiana, and yes, we do live in the middle of cornfields (although this year, there is a soybean field to the south of our house). But 30 minutes north of our little town is a little city, Columbus, which is home to some of the most interesting architecture in the country. Columbus had its own version of the Medici family, headed by J. Irwin Miller, retired chairman of Cummins Engine Company (Clay's employer for the past 19 years). Starting in the 1940's, Miller brought world famous architects -- Ero Saaranen, I. M. Pei, Robert A.M. Stern, Cesar Pelli -- to Columbus, and the results are brilliant and beautiful. In fact, when Lady Bird Johnson visited, she called Columbus "The Athens of the Prairie."

Along with the architecture, there is some pretty amazing art, both indoors and out. Although I have a weird aversion to oddly textured things, one of my favorites is a Dale Chihuly's Yellow Neon Chandelier in the Columbus Visitors' Center.

As for statues, I love this one:Crack the Whip by Oklahoma artist Jo Saylors

And this sculpture is a favorite:

Chaos 1 by Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely.

Made of scrap metal Tinguely scavenged from local junkyards, it is like a big game of Mousetrap. When running, it is loud and fun, and sits just yards away from an indoor playground.

And in honor of the Dalai Lama's visit to Indiana this week, here is our happy Buddha. Clay brought this little statue home from his first trip to China. The kids all loved it so; he had to bring back several more on his next trip. I'm sure these statues are equivalent to the shot glasses and souvenir spoons you pick up in American tourist traps, but I love him anyway.

Peace.