LOVE spelled out in chalk in the grassy park near the WorldBeat Center.
Today has been designated World Water Day. The essential message is that we should use our often limited water resources carefully and engage in water conservation.
I read that a World Water Day Celebration was to be held in Balboa Park at the WorldBeat Center, so I headed from downtown up Park Boulevard to see what was going on.
What I discovered was a lot of interesting knowledge and very cool fun!
World Water Day in Balboa Park included a kids poster contest, painting, music, dance, a water blessing, and a global meditation.Kids listen to stories out in a patch of shade on a warm Spring day in San Diego.This board included many great ideas on how to save water. This is unusually important in Southern California because of our ongoing drought.Lots of creativity was being unleashed during World Water Day.A talented artist named Alexander had his work on display.A smile and unique self-portrait by Alexander.
This super friendly, cool artist was working with Live Art by Davina Mendoza.Inside the popular World Beat Center dance and music awaited.Poster inside shows how water is harvested from the air in Ethiopia!Watair creates atmospheric water generators (called air juicers). These devices produce pure drinking water while cleaning the air!The colorful interior of the WorldBeat Cultural Center is alive with dancers and a line of drummers!
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Youth helps paint a public mural along the San Diego River Estuary.
This morning, after I checked out the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, I headed out to the San Diego River Estuary and enjoyed a long, leisurely walk. I’d read that kids would be painting a cool mural next to the river, directly south of SeaWorld and east of the Sports Arena Boulevard/West Mission Bay Drive bridge.
When I arrived, the mural was nearly completed. The project was hosted by The San Diego River Park Foundation. Young artists also had an opportunity to do a little birdwatching!
Bicyclists heading down Old Sea World Drive spy a line of colorful artwork.The San Diego River Park Foundation is working to preserve the life-filled estuary.Lots of paint cans contain the colors of wildlife and river scenery.San Diego River Park Foundation banner is positioned near mural painted by kids.Most of the painting was completed when I walked by in the late morning.Adults were putting some finishing touches on the cool public art.A project of River Kids Discovery Days on March 14, 2015.Two great egrets in San Diego River Estuary not far from the mural project!San Diego Park Rangers were also painting. This panel depicts a snowy egret.Mural artists put their names on sign beside the San Diego River Trail.Lots of kids turned out to add life and color to a fence bordering nature’s beauty.
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Colorful tiles around base of Piazza Villaggio fountain in Little Italy.
I frequently walk through Little Italy, a lively neighborhood in the north part of downtown San Diego. Here are some photos of fun, colorful artwork that I’ve taken from the sidewalk during the last few months!
Unusual creation hangs from roof of a building in San Diego’s Little Italy.Fun image on wall of The Good Sounds car stereo installation shop.Eye-catching clock atop tower on a street corner.Lots of whimsical art on the Queenstown Public House restaurant.Painted tiles add zest to a wall by a sidewalk.Base of Little Italy Landmark Sign shows fish netted in the ocean.Two cherubs adorn gate pillars on India Street.Just a fun mailbox with hearts, flower and palm tree.Medallion-like artwork on wall above the Italian Cultural Center sign.Metal fish sculpture seems to leap from Piazza Villaggio fountain.
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Sun shines on dynamic mural at Golden Hill Market and Liquor in Sherman Heights.
Here are two boldly painted murals in Sherman Heights, a neighborhood just east of downtown San Diego. I photographed the first mural at 21st Street and Market Street several few days ago. I took my first picture of the second mural last May as I watched the local All-American Soap Box Derby on hilly 25th Street. Since then, the painted boards seem to have been removed from the market wall, and shifted a bit to the left behind a tree. You can see shadows in the two more recent photos.
According to my research, both of these distinctive works of street art were created under the direction of local artist Mario Torero. His passionate artwork, often depicting political themes and civil rights activists, can also be seen at Chicano Park in Barrio Logan, Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park, and elsewhere around San Diego.
Young residents of Sherman Heights painted this wall in 1980, with help from local artist Mario Torero.Aztec imagery is a colorful part of the artwork.The 35 year old mural is vivid, having been restored several times due to graffiti.Words above people read Barrio Sherman Mural Unidos.Lively images cover pipes, meter box and a door.Latino-themed mural shows respect for education.K St. Market on 25th Street with mural designed by local artist Mario Torero.Face enveloped by color shows confident character.The Barrio is a Garden was painted on wood in 2010 in Sherman Heights.Brightly painted street bench on 25th Avenue in Sherman Heights.
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Birds take flight above palm trees in downtown San Diego.
This is my 500th post. I can’t believe it.
When I started writing this blog on a lark about a year and a half ago, it was a puny little creation, and I hadn’t a clue where it would take me. Alas, after many hours pounding away at the old keyboard, I haven’t earned one thin dime. But that’s perfectly fine. The riches I’ve received are immaterial, and far greater.
Writing a blog–one that involves photography in particular–opens your eyes, enhances your appreciation of all that is around you. To chronicle a walk through this world, one must carefully experience each step and turn curious eyes everywhere. One must note light, depth, and the color of things. One must listen to others. If I hadn’t begun to meander about San Diego purposefully, searching for “cool” material, I might never have seen some hidden rainbows. Or a small bit of street art. Or dogs surf.
Writing a blog encourages creativity. It’s casual and conversational. There’s no need to fret too much about editing. Readers are just friends. So you can yap freely and let the mind flow. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. His great book Zen in the Art of Writing talks about the power of just letting thoughts flow, uninhibited, like gushing water from a wildly whipping dangerously uncontrolled hose. That water will irrigate one’s life, and the lives of others who are splashed.
Writing a blog leads the author to be more honest. More understanding. More compassionate. More vulnerable. Writing a blog, giving birth to a few silly words, expands the soul.
Thanks for coming along on my walks!
Where will I go today? I have a bit of an idea, but I’m not certain. Time propels us forward into the unknown. If you’d like, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr!
Sculptures on display on San Diego’s Embarcadero near Tuna Harbor.
My walk early this morning took me down to Ruocco Park, just north of Seaport Village. I wanted to check out something I saw on the news that looked really interesting.
Few people were about. Sunrise was slowly brightening the sky. Ten imposing human-like sculptures rose before me. As I approached, the figures loomed larger, silent, heavy-lidded, facing the fishing boats in Tuna Harbor, and a handful of joggers passing by.
This temporary installation of public art opened yesterday to the public. Our Silences, created by Mexican sculptor Rivelino, is composed of a row of ten massive bronze figures, whose mouths are shut and silenced with a metal plate. The object of the art is to provoke thought, feeling and discussion about freedom of speech. One wonders if the small prison-like black box nearby contains a political prisoner, or someone’s trembling, innermost thoughts. This very jolting artistic statement is on display for the first time in the United States. It will remain in San Diego through March 15.
Our Silences, by Mexican artist Rivelino, concerns freedom of speech.People walk past provocative public art as day dawns near Seaport Village.This harsh black cube appears to be an oppressive prison cell.The steel box might contain someone who would like to speak.Mysterious abstract designs on backs of the human-like sculptures.Here comes the sun and another day of freedom on San Diego’s waterfront.Walking past artwork that reminds us of liberty’s precious gift.
Here’s a pic I took after a sign explaining Our Silences was installed nearby…
Sign explains Our Silences, now in San Diego. (Click to enlarge.)
Where will I walk next? Life is an adventure!
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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 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.
The public art, titled Freedom, was sculpted by artist Jon Koehler and installed in the Glorietta Bay Yacht Club Promenade in 2009.
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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 in 2005 by sculptor James T. Hubbell.Artwork adds gentle beauty to Coronado’s park along Glorietta Bay.Seagulls like getting a drink of water from the top of this colorful fountain!
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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 in water beneath row of windows.Fish and fishermen are big themes on Little Italy utility boxes.Tropical beach island scene on a fun, eye-catching Gaslamp utility box.Soft and peaceful beach image on this Imperial Beach utility box.Cool abstract face on an imaginative Hillcrest utility box.Some large utility boxes in Hillcrest feature photos of fruits and vegetables.This Hillcrest electrical transformer has a bold blue eye.East Village utility box art has been vandalized with angry words.Very colorful artwork on an East Village transformer.
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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.Drivers might think the speed limit here is 11 miles per hour!Odd, speckled sign stands beside Balboa Park’s rose garden.This crazy sign is a meteoric explosion of creativity.Car near San Diego Zoo entrance heeds artistic street sign, I’m sure.Does this sign indicate that a lizard is crossing?This unofficial street sign is open for interpretation.
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Cool San Diego Sights! 