Hi everybody it’s time for everybody’s favorite head snapper What the #@(& is that! Today’s labour day edition takes a spin down Portage avenue and though the downtown core.
Our first installment comes courtesy of the fine folks at Air Canada, Canada’s largest and most maligned airline service. This huge objet d’art is tucked away in a corner of the courtyard that most people just wizz by in traffic and I only just discovered it yesterday.
King Pigeon at the Air Canada building downtown Winnipeg.
Holding court or just waiting to crap on someone?
I just find it hilarious that Air Canada an airline renowned for its high rates and poor customer service would have a rat with wings at its Winnipeg head office. Kinda makes you wonder what other decisions are going on in the boardrooms.
Well people I am still writing from my phone stuck in insurance limbo. So here’s a few new what the #@€% gems I spotted this past week in St. Boniface.
Driving down Provencher Blvd I spotted something that literally had me pulling a u-turn. I thought I saw a large metal wolf on fire. My suspicions were proven correct as the photos show.
Also gracing this patch of greenspace were two other previously unknown to me sculptures. Score!
The first one made me think of the old Charlie Brown Halloween special. Most of the kids running around in an old sheet with holes cut out for eyes.
The third and final piece in the park made me remember that although I live among them I simply don’t understand Francophone artists.
This disembodied figure serves to prove that point.
Thanks for joining me again today, hope you enjoyed your visit. As always comments are always welcome.
It’s been a while since I have posted anything on the wonderful and often weird architecture that dots the Winnipeg landscape. In this offering let us explore some of Winnipeg’s parks and the downtown area for some truly bizarre offerings.
First on our neck snapping trip through town lets take a peek in Assiniboine Park just south of Portage Avenue. This metal monstrosity entitled Agassiz Ice sits like a shiny metal turd polluting the once clean vista of inviting grass and sunny blue sky. I’ll let sculptor Gordon Reeve tell you what he thinks of it.
Agassiz Ice in Assiniboine Park.
The sculpture “opens” just as a film does with an establishing shot of the park with the sculpture in the distance framed by the sky, trees and a river. As the viewer approaches along a predetermined route it appears to grow in size and what appeared to be a single sculpture becomes two and then three separate forms with a passage through. The hard irregular edges isolate a rapid succession of “cinematic frames” which are experienced in varying increments of time. The initial approach takes from twelve to thirty seconds before a significant change in point of view. Another ten to twelve seconds and as the piece is revealed the viewer is able to see and feel the cool polished metal.” Gordon Reeve
Metal masterpiece or shiny steel turds?
Poppycock, there is no predetermined pathway to this gauche monstrosity and it takes a good hour to get stink of artistic failure off of you in the shower before you feel clean again. What a waste of metal and money.
Well friends and foes, I can’t help but look at the calendar and notice that it’s been just over a year since I wrote my first post. It’s been a year of excitement, of loss and of deep thought here at Bob’s Place. I have been applauded and heckled. I have laughed and cried as I sat writing for you my dedicated and slightly deranged followers.
Just One of My Adoring Fans
84 entries in this last year and if memory serves I need to wish my Mom a very happy birthday again. “Hmmmm” Calendar says she’s turning 29 again this year. Oh well Happy Birthday Mom, Love You!!
Looking back at the year I would have to say that my motivation for blogging remains as strong as it was when I started this little adventure with everyone. I feel that I have grown as a writer, self-editing is the hardest part for me. Thanks Karen for kicking me in the ass and making me take a hard look at what I put down on the page. We may have parted company on the wrong foot but I sure to try to put a little extra care into what gets onto my pages.
My Hunter S Thompson Phase.... I'm Much Better Now!
As I alluded, I have had loss this year. The passing of my Father first and foremost comes to mind. It’s going to be hard as hell not to have you around this year Dad. I am going to miss you not sitting at the kitchen table doing your crosswords at Christmas. But there have been good times too. Meeting people and connecting through our love of writing and sharing gut busting laughter is a prime example.
I found out that there is a good possibility that I am actually a 50-year-old woman, and I got the chance to share a look some of the fine cuisine that is driving Winnipeggers crazy! I got to rant and rage with you. I left no stone unturned and opened the table to all sorts of topics. Race relations, health care, drug use, and environmental awareness to name but a few.
Wayne what have you done to yourself!
But it wasn’t all hard work, we got the chance to share a few laughs along the way too. I evaded the clutches of Wayne Newton when he started to fill my dreams with dread. We celebrated my 1000th hit and I can assure you that I am well on my way to FINALLY getting 1010 hits. Ya Hooo!
Damn! I'm Going to Need That!
You got to see me jump out of a perfectly good airplane and NOT fall to my profanity laced death. Savoured the sweet overtime victory on the road to Olympic hockey gold! We explored the junk that passes for public art on Winnipeg streets and played a prank on lovers of soft cuddly animals everywhere.
You Wouldn't Club Me??
We went toe to toe with the Catholic Church. Apparently Pope Benedict XVI is a huge Star Wars fan; but doesn’t care that much for James Cameron’s Avatar. Seems the environmental epic it hit a little too close to the mark for the Pontiff. All of that tree hugging and spiritual mumbo jumbo seemed to be stealing the Church’s spotlight.
Pope or Galactic Emperor??
So what does the new year hold in store for us? Well, only time will tell. All I know is that I feel the need for some Bulgarian music videos. Gotta love that trashy Eastern European beat!
If any one out there speaks Bulgarian, let me know what I am watching. Stay tuned for more hilarity! Same Bob time. Same Bob channel.
Bob
Exploring Winnipeg and Beyond. 