Category: Artwork

PPAC #21

Published on by Russell Smith5 Comments

This amazing frieze can be found inside the Circuit Courthouse in Annapolis, Maryland. This was erected as a memorial to honor those lawyers who fought and died in the “Great War.” To me, this depiction brings to mind the famous painting by Jacques-Louis David, Oath of the Horatii. A pre-Revolution work of art, the theme is loyalty to the state, without regard to clan or clergy. There is a Latin inscription at the bottom, but it is too faded for me to read. Any thoughts? A translation would be greatly appreciated.

Photographing Public Art

PPAC# 20

Published on by Russell Smith4 Comments

Okay, then. It seems as if I may be getting back on track. Here is my entry for the Photographing Public Art Challenge. For a change, I’m actually posting this in a timely fashion. I’ve been meaning to photograph this mural for quite some time now. It’s not far from my home. On this particular day, the sun wasn’t in the best position, so I told myself that I would go back later that day to do more. Well, as so often happens when one procrastinates, I didn’t get the job done. So this will have to do for now.

From a distance. Even with this panoramic view, the photo does not encompass the entire work.

From the photo on the left, you can see the glare of the sun that I was contending with. As Arnold Schwarzenegger said in the first Terminator movie, “I’ll be back.”

PPAC# 19

Published on by Russell Smith5 Comments

I know that I’m late, but circumstances beyond my control have caused me to divert my efforts to other areas. Please accept this post as my contribution to the Photographing Public Art Challenge. Best wishes, Russell

Here are another one of those ugly birds that the city gave to local artists to paint. It’s another example of what I call “committee art.” When more than a couple of people collaborate to create art, the results are never good. If a symphony orchestra took votes on how to play each piece of music, the results would be catastrophic. If a classroom had more than one or two instructors, how could the students learn anything? I’ve been in classes where the teacher abdicates responsibility. Can you imagine taking votes from the students on whether or not to take an exam?