Ellipsis: Stilt Walkers

Friday, March 28, 2014

Art About Town: San Mateo "Stilt Walkers" By Dennis Smith

"Stilt Walkers" By Dennis Smith
Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park
San Mateo, California 2009

"Art an love are the same thing: It's the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you."

~Chuck Klosterman, Killing Yourself To Live: 85% Of A True Story

Just a short post tonight. I am tired. My Fibromyalgia has been raging all week, and my whole body aches. There isn't much I can do but wait it out. It will turn around again... with rest. Plus, I am not in the best of moods for other reasons. Someone I care about, a pal, is going through a tough time, and there is very little I can do to help. It's a frustrating situation, but time heals all things. In the mean time it's hard to see someone in pain, from hurt feelings, and not be able to help. Life is kinda stupid that way.

So... it's into the art for me! :) Nothing on earth makes me happier than climbing into art, as a way to dust off the head noise and cares.

This is a sort of repeat. I first posted it back in 2009. I love this piece, it's truly one of the loveliest works of art around the bay! It sits in Leo J. Ryan park in San Mateo. The park itself is absolutely stunning, with a sizable pond, and plenty of shorebirds, but it's also lovely with roses and amazing trees with plenty of shade. Just talking about it right now brings a smile to my face. I must stop by there again, the next time I am in San Mateo.

:)

"One eye sees, the other eye feels."

~Paul Klee

Mood: Quiet

~Me :)

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Art About Town: Foster City, California

"Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one."

-Stella Adler

Alan and I decided to take a long walk yesterday, alongside the lagoon at the Leo J. Ryan Memorial park in Foster City. It was a lovely day, however it was unseasonably cool, and yet it was a big muggy due to the monsoon clouds making their way through the Bay Area. There is a good chance for some thunder later tonight and tomorrow. Fingers crossed, I love a good thunder boomer!

Anyway, the park was as gorgeous as always, and is a beautiful way to remember Congressman Leo J. Ryan, who was killed in Jonestown, Guyana, in November of 1978, by members of the People's Temple cult. Ryan's murder occurred just prior to the massacre which took place at the People's Temple compound the next day, when the head of the cult, Jim Jones, ordered his followers to "drink the Flavor-Aid," which had been laced with cyanide. Three journalists, and a former member of the cult were also killed the same day Ryan was.

There are several pieces of art within the park, all of them bring to mind lightheartedness and wonder, but this is one of my very favorites. "Stilt Walkers" always makes me smile, maybe because I such a shorty, at only 4' 11. I have always wondered what it would be like to be tall, with legs like a Rockette! LOL. As a short girl growing up, I always admired those who could actually get the bread down from the shelf at the grocery store all by themselves! LOL. I like this park, and this particular piece of art so much that I always make sure to see it when I visit, as if it is an old friend. I love public art, it's good for the soul!