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Growing the Arts

Richard — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:27:56 +0000

I was downtown and took this photo of the Arts Garden recently, and I found myself thinking about it’s name…the actual words and the planned intention for its use, a place to cultivate and grow the arts. The Arts Garden adjoining Circle Centre is one of the more public and visual venues in Indianapolis where artists of all kinds display their works and perform. Not another square, nondescript building or traditional design, it’s architecture is an expression of artistry itself. It’s purpose is multi-dimensional, spanning one of the busiest downtown intersections and linking the surrounding commercial and retail buildings, hotels, restaurants and convention center.

But mainly I just like taking photos of it when given the opportunity. I like the way it looks.

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Central Towpath

Richard — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:52:15 +0000

There’s been a discussion lately about the possible sale of land assets used by the water company which helps to provide a good portion of our drinking water. It’s suspicious when they start looking at selling publicly controlled property when times are leaner and there’s a shortfall in the budget. Why don’t they take a harder look at spending instead. No surprise. Growing or maintaining the scope of government seems to be more important to those in government. Don’t they realize once something is sold, it’s gone. What’s next, Monument Circle?

The Central Towpath above is one of these assets as well as Geist and Eagle Creek Reservoirs. Just look how beautiful this is. More importantly, it’s one of those things that binds us together as a community and a way we interact with each other. To me it’s treasured public art that we not only can look at but use. The real issue is control. What will happen if private interests want to change something later that is contrary to the best interest of the public. Land is probably our most precious asset. It nurtures us now in ways that cannot be replaced, and must do the same for future generations.

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Share the Road

Richard — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:16:32 +0000

I’ve been following the bicycle lane idea with great interest since first planned and then built. Mainly wondering how much they would actually be utilized by people. I’m not standing there watching all the time, but my office is very close to where one of them is located along Allisonville Road. So I’m up and down that way a lot. Every once in a while there’s an occasional cyclist, but mainly motorists use them for passing lanes when others are turning left. I got excited when I saw about six cyclist in a group using the lane last weekend, but realized later it was part of a “Ride with the Mayor” event orchestrated by the Mayor’s office. It’s a good idea…riding bikes in general…a healthy, green thing to do. I suppose I’m like a lot of people in that it would be impossible to cycle and do what I do to earn a living. Yeah maybe I could take an occasional ride here and there. But hardly anyone seems to be taking to the idea as an alternate mode of transportation. So far the idea seems to be fading into the underbrush just like this sign below. Maybe it just needs more time. Another one of those things to watch.

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Strawberry Park

Richard — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:42:16 +0000

The Strawberry Festival, an event orchestrated by Christ Church Cathedral on Monument Circle every year as a fundraiser for local, state and national charities, is one of those gatherings that seems to cut through all the ethno-political boundaries. One look at the mix of the crowd would tell you that. Nothing polarizing these people towards getting together other than to share a bowl of strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.

I talked with a couple people there who said this was one of the perks of working downtown. Walk over on their lunch break, have some strawberries, mingle, get some fresh air and people watch. The weather was perfect for all that today.

The way the Circle was mostly blocked off to auto traffic made me think about the announcement by the City recently of their thoughts about turning the area into a pedestrian park permanently. This event gives a partial glimpse of what that might look like. Changes like that don’t happen overnight. It might sound like a great idea, and maybe it is, but how would you feel if you had one of the businesses on or close to the Circle that counted on drive-up traffic. I have a feeling it will somehow evolve in that direction though. Just have to fine tune it and give people time to adjust.

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Exploring

Richard — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:10:39 +0000

The path less traveled. As I’ve evolved with my foray into photography, I’ve come to realize the value of the meaning of those four words. Without any exception, every time I’ve expended the additional energy to try a method of encountering the terrain that’s more challenging, I’ve been rewarded by the outcome. A small example of this logic is this shot above, which is not so ironically a view of a path that leads around and behind the Eiteljorge Museum.

If you just park your car in the underground garage and used the normal entrance to come and go, you’d miss this path that leads through some wonderful garden areas with absolutely beautiful plantings and landscaping…meandering and eventually leading to the downtown Canal areas behind. I park the car like everyone, but have learned the value of exploring. Discovering places you never knew existed and growing as a person.

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Carb Day Events

Richard — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:30:52 +0000

Crews from various driving teams competed to see which one can service their car the fastest in the Pit Crew Challenge, just one of several events today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Carb Day. These crews are so good that I barely had time to point my camera before they were done…with the car smoking it’s tires as the crew finishes.

I had late morning appointments so I arrived at the track after the Firestone Freedom 100 was over and just in time to see the finish of the pit crew competition. However the main attraction, at least for me, was to see ZZ Top whom I had never seen live before. It wasn’t the best venue, but where could you possibly see them for just a gate admission of $10? There were LOTS of people already waiting for them to begin, but it was amazing how close to the stage I got with a polite “Excuse me please. Thank you”. I thought Billy, Dusty and Frank sounded great. Those boys can Rock n’Roll! I was wondering how many times they have played some of those same songs over the 40+ years they have been together. Looked like they are still enjoying it.

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Carb Day

Recharging

Richard — Fri, 21 May 2010 02:13:59 +0000

If I’m close and have the time, which isn’t very often, I like to go by the IMA. If I went all the time I would be afraid it would loose it’s special quality, so I reserve it for when the timing or need feels perfect. It’s good for recharging. Even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes. It’s perfect. If it’s the time of year when really cold or if it’s rainy, there’s things to do inside the museum…old favorites to visit when in the mood for them, or there’s always something new that’s just arrived too. But what’s most enjoyable is to head down a path in one of the garden areas outside. There’s always something beautiful waiting to be discovered. Or just take a minute to relax. After so many years, it feels like a couple of the benches there have become my friends.

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Mass Ave Beat

Richard — Sat, 15 May 2010 15:12:32 +0000

Not your typical road marker, the famous Dancing Girls provide a friendly welcoming committee to the Massachusetts Avenue corridor. Snow, sleet, rain or shine they never stop movin and swayin to the ever-present Mass Ave beat. Sometime I probably should add a video rather than a still photo so you can see the whole performance. When you see this it makes you feel like there probably is fun to be had nearby. And there is actually. The Mass Ave area has blossomed into a colorful area with interesting pubs, restaurants, art galleries, theatres and businesses.

Took this photo as I was passing by yesterday. As it turned out the angle was peculiar with the tree branches of the tree behind appearing to be some kind of crazy headdress or whimsical hat with long feathers.

I have another photo of “the dancer”, and earlier as I was trying to think of which photo to use as a Mystery Challenge I asked a couple people if they thought it would make a good mystery location photo. They all said “NO…Everyone who goes downtown knows what and where this is. People would get that one immediately.” So, her fame is legendary locally apparently.

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Old School Thinking

Richard — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:22:16 +0000

One of the best features about the Indiana State Museum is the immensity of space there. Large-as-life displays for instance like this replica of the 3-story facade of Indianapolis’ School No. 5. After entering from the underground parking garage, it’s one of the first things you see inside the Grand Lobby. The site of the original School No. 5 was not too far from where the museum is now located and was named after the 19th century social activist and pastor Oscar C. McCullough.

If I didn’t know where this shot was taken, I’d swear it was the real thing. There are some things on display at ISM that will make you stop and think. Something about seeing where you’ve been as a people, a collective recapitulation of sorts, that helps you appreciate the journey and understand your part in it a little better.

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Hall of Champions

Richard — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:07:26 +0000

Another jewel at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis is the NCAA Hall of Champions. Of course at this time with NCAA basketball championships, the focus is on round-ball, but whatever college sport or legendary athletes that you identify with, there are tributes and fond memories to encounter. It’s more than a museum, it’s a hands-on experience where sports and memories come alive.

My favorite place there however is the downsized half-court which is made to resemble a small, old-time school gymnasium with tall windows and bleachers. You can even grab a basketball and play a quick game of HORSE with a companion or two…or maybe just PIG if it’s busy.

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