Tag: art

Early morning sights in downtown San Diego.

Scooter with fringed canopy zooms past as I swing my camera to capture a sudden morning photo.
Scooter with fringed canopy zooms past as I swing my camera to capture a sudden morning photo.

Here are a few interesting photos from another meandering walk downtown. I took these yesterday morning as I headed down from Cortez Hill to catch the trolley at the Santa Fe Depot.  I know, there are closer trolley stations, but I was itching to venture outside into the world and got an early start…

Wednesday is trash pick up day in front of the House of Blues in downtown San Diego.
Wednesday is trash pick up day in front of the House of Blues in downtown San Diego.
Cool mural on a downtown building's upper patio which, according to a security guard, is inaccessible to the general public.
Cool mural on a downtown building’s upper patio which, according to a security guard, is inaccessible to the general public.

From a distance that mural looks really awesome. The security guard said perhaps he’d let me onto the patio if I were swing by in the middle of a work day. According to some research on the internet, it was painted fairly recently by Maxx Moses, the same artist who created that super fantastic Ancestors street mural in Barrio Logan.

Mysterious elevated box on the sidewalk is colorfully painted with leaves.
Mysterious elevated box on the sidewalk is colorfully painted with leaves.
Vertically moving words on Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego don't seem to make sense.
Vertically moving words on Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego don’t seem to make sense.
Seward Johnson's 'That A Way' sculpture at entrance of The Sofia Hotel.
Seward Johnson’s ‘That A Way’ sculpture at entrance of The Sofia Hotel.

Yep, that’s the same Seward Johnson who created the huge Unconditional Surrender sculpture by the USS Midway Museum. He’s best known for making life-size pieces like this one, which stands by a doorway on Broadway.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Shining Freedom sculpture catches fire!

During my recent walk around Coronado, I came upon a dull, lifeless metal sculpture standing at the center of a small park. But then a rising sea breeze moved the nearby trees. The sculpture began to slowly turn. I stood in one place, snapping a few pics…

Freedom sculpture at Glorietta Bay Yacht Club Promenade appears dull and utterly lifeless.
Freedom sculpture at Glorietta Bay Yacht Club Promenade appears dull and utterly lifeless.
Freedom turns in the wind and surfaces begin to reflect the bright sunshine.
Freedom turns in the wind and surfaces begin to reflect the bright sunshine.
Shining Freedom sculpture catches fire! The kinetic sculpture was created by Jon Koehler.
Shining Freedom sculpture catches fire! The kinetic sculpture was created by Jon Koehler.

The public art, titled Freedom, was sculpted by artist Jon Koehler and installed in the Glorietta Bay Yacht Club Promenade in 2009.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Western characters in mural at Old Town Saloon.

Several whiskered Western characters pose in a mural on Harney Street in Old Town.
Several whiskered Western characters pose in a mural on Harney Street in Old Town.

There’s a fairly new street mural in Old Town that I really like.  Every time I see it, my imagination travels back in time. Back to the first half of the 19th century.

San Diego for many decades was a tiny town seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Whether it belonged to Spain, or Mexico, or the United States, Old Town San Diego was a place of dusty roads and modest, sun-baked adobe houses, horses and wagons, rugged settlers and ranchers. Characters from that era seem to live again in this mural.

Artist Frank Mando painted this artwork in 2013. I couldn’t capture the entire piece in one shot. Enlivening a building at the corner of San Diego Avenue and Harney Street, the mural is divided in two by a door of the Old Town Saloon. Standing inside that door, as you’ll see, there seems to be a well-known movie star!

Freight wagon hauls a load of barrels in fun art that recalls early San Diego history.
Freight wagon hauls a load of barrels in fun art that recalls early San Diego history.
John Wayne seems to be coming through a door of the Old Town Saloon.
John Wayne seems to be coming through a door of the Old Town Saloon.
Elegant lady and girl from long ago stroll past Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe.
Elegant lady and girl from long ago stroll past Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe.
Old Town mural on building wall was painted in 2013 by artist Frank Mando.
Old Town mural on building wall was painted in 2013 by artist Frank Mando.
Kids standing along sidewalk seem to have materialized from San Diego's past.
Kids standing along sidewalk seem to have materialized from San Diego’s past.
People walk past cool street mural near side entrance to Old Town Saloon.
People walk past nostalgic street mural near side entrance to Old Town Saloon.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Sea Passage sculpture and fountain in Coronado.

Sea Passage sculpture and fountain between Coronado City Hall and Community Center.
Sea Passage sculpture and fountain between Coronado City Hall and Community Center.

Whenever I walk around Coronado, or bike down the Silver Strand, I like to pass by this graceful work of art. Sea Passage, created by James T. Hubbell, adds gentle sound and sparkling color to a long park which stretches beside Glorietta Bay.  The popular linear park can be found between the Hotel del Coronado’s old boathouse and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

The fountain contains a sinuous mosaic of many small tiles.  They appear to me like silvery blue scales, glittering and swimming in the flowing water.  The organic form artistically connects two somewhat ordinary-looking buildings:  Coronado City Hall and the Community Center.

James T. Hubbell also designed two striking works of public art on Shelter Island, which is located just north of Coronado across San Diego Bay. I’ve already blogged about Pacific Portal. One of these days I’ll write about Pearl of the Pacific.

Sea Passage was created by noted sculptor James T. Hubbell.
Sea Passage was created in 2005 by sculptor James T. Hubbell.
Artwork adds beauty to Coronado's linear park beside Glorietta Bay.
Artwork adds gentle beauty to Coronado’s park along Glorietta Bay.
Seagulls like getting a drink of sparkling water from top of colorful fountain!
Seagulls like getting a drink of water from the top of this colorful fountain!

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Cool utility box artwork around San Diego.

Cool utility box on Bankers Hill shows tall buildings on planet Earth.
Cool utility box in Hillcrest shows tall buildings on planet Earth.

During my walks about San Diego, I spy all sorts of cool art on utility boxes and electrical transformers. Most of the painted artwork is super creative and colorful. You never know what you’ll find!

Little Italy art on utility box shows boats beneath windows.
Little Italy art on utility box shows boats in water beneath row of windows.
Fish and fishermen are big themes on Little Italy utility boxes.
Fish and fishermen are big themes on Little Italy utility boxes.
Tropical beach island scene on a fun Gaslamp utility box.
Tropical beach island scene on a fun, eye-catching Gaslamp utility box.
Soft and peaceful beach image on this Imperial Beach utility box.
Soft and peaceful beach image on this Imperial Beach utility box.
Cool abstract face on an imaginative Hillcrest utility box.
Cool abstract face on an imaginative Hillcrest utility box.
Some large utility boxes in Hillcrest feature various fruit and vegetables.
Some large utility boxes in Hillcrest feature photos of fruits and vegetables.
This Hillcrest electrical transformer has a big blue eye.
This Hillcrest electrical transformer has a bold blue eye.
East Village utility box art vandalized with angry words.
East Village utility box art has been vandalized with angry words.
Very colorful artwork on an East Village transformer.
Very colorful artwork on an East Village transformer.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Unusual, artistic street signs line Park Boulevard.

Unusual street sign on Park Boulevard shows a road in someone's hand.
Unusual street sign on Park Boulevard shows the road in someone’s hand.

A dozen very unusual, artistic street signs line Park Boulevard in the vicinity of Balboa Park. Drive north and you’ll see them standing at intervals, all the way from Presidents Way up to Upas Street. For many years I’ve noted them.

I’m not sure how passing drivers respond to all the crazy artwork. I’m pretty sure these unique signs aren’t included in the Department of Motor Vehicles driving test! I hope not!

UPDATE!

I’ve learned this installation of art is titled Night Visions, by artist Roberto Salas. They first appeared in 1988, a year our city hosted the Super Bowl. According to what I read, in 1989 Night Visions was the very first acquisition of public art by the City of San Diego.

This funny sign shows a magician pulling a rabbit from hat.
This funny sign shows a magician pulling a rabbit from hat.
Drivers might think the speed limit here is 11 miles per hour.
Drivers might think the speed limit here is 11 miles per hour!
Odd, speckled sign stands beside Balboa Park's rose garden.
Odd, speckled sign stands beside Balboa Park’s rose garden.
This crazy sign is a meteoric explosion of creativity.
This crazy sign is a meteoric explosion of creativity.
Car near San Diego Zoo entrance heeds artistic street sign, I'm sure.
Car near San Diego Zoo entrance heeds artistic street sign, I’m sure.
Does this sign indicate that a lizard is crossing?
Does this sign indicate that a lizard is crossing?
This unofficial street sign is open for interpretation.
This unofficial street sign is open for interpretation.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Mind-blowing Ancestors mural near Chicano Park.

Mind-blowing street art uses a whole spectrum of finely painted colors.
Mind-blowing street art uses a whole spectrum of finely painted colors.

Wow! Check out this mind-blowing street mural, which caught my eye just across Dewey Street from Chicano Park. Titled Ancestors, it was spray-painted on a Barrio Logan building in 2013 by artists Maxx Moses and Isaias Crow.

A little online research reveals that Ancestors replaced another damaged mural on the same wall, which was titled Synergy. Maxx Moses likes to use spontaneity in his creative productions, and calls his unique art movement Concrete Alchemy. Isaias Crow’s artwork, which I believe is on the right side of the mural, is similarly awesome!

This dazzling urban art is directly across the street from world-famous Chicano Park.
This dazzling urban art is directly across the street from world-famous Chicano Park.
Such amazing detail. You could just stand and lose yourself in this artwork.
Such amazing detail. You could just stand and lose yourself in this cool artwork.
Close look at one portion of the Ancestors mural in Barrio Logan.
Closer look at one portion of the Ancestors mural in Barrio Logan.
Ancestors street mural celebrates the lives of those who built community.
Ancestors street mural celebrates the lives of those who built community.
Small tree on the wall is enfolded by softly curved rich colors.
Small tree on the wall is enfolded by softly curved rich colors.
The intricate image is alive with astounding vibrancy.
The intricate image is alive with astounding vibrancy.
This astonishing face is composed of many slivers of beaming light.
This astonishing face is composed of many slivers of beaming light.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Symbolism in Barrio Logan’s new gateway sign.

The colorful new Barrio Logan gateway sign arches over Cesar Chavez Parkway.
The colorful new Barrio Logan gateway sign arches over Cesar Chavez Parkway.

A little over a week ago, the new Barrio Logan gateway sign had a dedication ceremony. The welcoming sign, arching over Cesar Chavez Parkway between Harbor Drive and Interstate 5, is similar to others that can be spotted in various communities around San Diego. Its design, however, is notably different. The cornice contains a variety of symbolic elements inspired by this neighborhood’s complex history.

The cornice contains a variety of combined symbols that represent the community.
The cornice contains a variety of combined symbols that represent the community.
One of two displays on either column that explains the design.
One of two displays on either column that explains the design.

Small displays near the base of each column can be read from either sidewalk. They explain the significance of the cornice design:

“This Barrio Logan sign was created with input from the local community. Their ideas resulted in this unique and relevant design, representative of one of San Diego’s oldest and most culturally rich urban neighborhoods.

The design pays homage to Kumeyaay, Aztec, Mayan and all other cultures, representing many concepts including creation, the cycle of life, and evolution into the modern world. The pyramids symbolize cultures coming together as one society. The fish and corn symbols refer to the reliance on the sea as a food source, and fertility of the lands.

The designs on the columns honor the kiosk in Chicano Park. The columns are also adorned with the Conch, Sky and Earth symbols, which were inspired by indigenous cultures.”

View of the gateway sign as one approaches from the Barrio Logan trolley station.
View of the gateway sign as one approaches from the Barrio Logan trolley station.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Iconic downtown sculpture changes color again!

Fountain of Two Oceans sculpture in front of Wells Fargo building in downtown San Diego.
Fountain of Two Oceans sculpture in front of Wells Fargo building in downtown San Diego.

Perhaps you recall my blog post from early in the summer, where I was astonished at how the Fountain of Two Oceans sculpture in front of downtown’s Wells Fargo building had suddenly turned white! Well, yesterday I saw it has changed colors once again!

I’m guessing a number of people found the weird, mottled white color unattractive.  (Personally, I thought it was ghastly.)  Today, the human figures appear bronze again, but much darker than before, without the heavily tarnished surface. In my opinion, this is a big improvement.  What do you think?

Before the figures were painted white:

Bronze nudes of Sergio Benvenuti’s Fountain of Two Oceans.
Bronze nudes of Sergio Benvenuti’s Fountain of Two Oceans.

Painted white, possibly to resemble marble:

Fountain of Two Oceans sculpture suddenly becomes white!
Fountain of Two Oceans sculpture suddenly becomes white!

Now much darker, matching the fountain’s base:

The reclining human figures today have a very dark bronze appearance!
The reclining human figures today have a dark, new bronze appearance!

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

A big city painted with small brushstrokes.

Young man with skateboard paints for donations on a San Diego sidewalk.
Young man with skateboard paints for donations on a San Diego sidewalk.

Once in a while my walks around San Diego take me past artists painting scenes from the big city. The artists might be working outside alone in a scenic or interesting place; or I might stumble upon a small crowd of art students working on many easels in a row. I love to pause and look over a shoulder for a few moments. I’m awed by human creativity.

Here are just a few pics that you might enjoy…

An artist in Balboa Park's Spanish Village works on a canvas in the colorful courtyard.
Artist in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village works on a canvas in the colorful courtyard.
A painted guitarist seems to emerge from sunny San Diego dappled brightness.
A painted guitarist seems to emerge from the sunny San Diego dappled brightness.
An artist works next to Tuna Harbor as many people stroll past.
An artist works next to Tuna Harbor as many people stroll past.
Painter on the Embarcadero inspired by Tuna Harbor boats and reflections.
Painter on the Embarcadero inspired by picturesque boats and reflections.
Small painted boat seems to float in the nearby rippled water.
Small painted boat seems to float in the nearby rippled water.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook. or follow me on Twitter.