Statuary – Beautiful Photographs

PPAC #29: Photographing Public Art Challenge

Published on December 31, 2021 by Russell SmithLeave a comment

Photographing Public Art

PPAC #21

Published on November 6, 2021 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# 19

Published on October 31, 2021 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?

PPAC #15

Published on September 25, 2021 by Russell Smith11 Comments

Photographing Public Art

PPAC #8: August 6, 2021

Published on August 6, 2021 by Russell Smith7 Comments

This thing (for lack of a better word) was apparently part of a civic art project. There are a few of them around Annapolis. People were given blank birds to do whatever they wished to do with them. There was a similar event in Los Angeles around the turn of this past Century. Blank, faceless metal angles were distributed among “recognized” artists. Almost without exception, they were hideous to the point of hilarity? Kitsch? Just plain ugly? You decide. How do you think this compares with the obvious object of its parody?