Tag Archives: public art

finding funky public art

public art

Is It Art?

2 Comments
solar powered compactor 1
photo by Barbara Hansen

Is garbage art?  Well, I reckon that even if the garbage itself isn’t, at least the garbage container can be.  We ran across this example on the Westsong Walkway the other day.

Kinda pretty, isn’t it?

solar powered compactor 1
photo by Barbara Hansen

It’s also kinda useful.  It’s a handy place to store garbage – and apparently it will hold a good deal of it.  It’s not only a container – it’s a compactor (and a solar-powered one at that!)

Esquimalt has used the ‘Big Belly’ compactors since 2007.  Considering that the compactor can contain 5 to 10 times the load of a regular trash can, it sure makes for a more tidy park – and for a decent savings in garbage collection.

It’s no wonder we’re starting to see more of these machines around.  I especially look forward to seeing more artistic ones.

Here’s a thought – where have you seen one?  was it pretty, too?  🙂

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© copyright 2013 SVSeekins

garden visits, public art

Human Sundial

4 Comments
Sundial at BC's Government House
photo by SVSeekins

Sundials are pretty in a garden & all, but do they actually work?  How accurate are they?  And honestly – what’s the point?

Interactive Sundial 1/4
photo by Barbara Hansen

The other day I happened across an interactive sundial.

Interactive Sundial 2/4
photo by SVSeekins

It’s enormous – – spanning a broad intersection of pathways at the Ogden Point Breakwater.  The interaction occurs when a person stands in one particular spot on the giant clock.  From that spot, a shadow is cast across the clock.  The numbers around the edge identify the time.

Interactive Sundial 3/4
photo by SVSeekins

Yup, it works!  And go figure – throughout the year it keeps time, varying 15 minutes at the most.

Now I can time my walks along the breakwater, start to finish, without looking at my watch.

It’s fun & functional public art.   🙂

(Kudos go out to the BC Capital Commission,  the Victoria Harbour Authority, and artist Andrei Golovkine for getting this BC 150 Legacy Project done.)

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© copyright 2013 SVSeekins

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  • Ogden Point before the handrails
  • Ogden Point after the handrails

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boulevard garden, projects, public art

Public Offerings

7 Comments

It is delightful to see the kindness of others.  A while back I ran across a book sharing cupboard on the fence-line of a nearby garden.  Take a book, leave a book, help yourself.  Why not?  I really like how that neighbor reached out to the community.

fence-line cupboard
photo by SVSeekins
book sharing cupboard 2
photo by SVSeekins

Since then, I’ve noticed a few more public offerings.  The second book exchange was on a quiet side street.  I couldn’t help but smile at the happy paint colors.  Right on!

There was sign of graffiti past on the box, but happily that neighbor tidied that up & continued with the sharing.

park side sharing closet
photo by
svseekins

And now I’ve happened upon another kiosk!  It sits beside the pathway of a quiet city park.  This one says “take what you need, Leave what you can”.  Lots of folk travel the path – and plenty exercise dogs in the big open meadow.  I’m so curious to know whether there is a turnover of goods or not.  I’ll have to make sure I walk that way again in a couple of weeks to see.  I have my fingers crossed that the parks department won’t remove it.

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© copyright 2012 SVSeekins

P.S.  check these other street libraries out: