Tag: writers

Coronado Public Library’s amazing Oz exhibit!

L. Frank Baum authored many fantastic children's books.
L. Frank Baum wrote many fantastic, very popular children’s books.

The Coronado Public Library is featuring a world-class exhibit of Oz art and artifacts this month! Two huge glass cases full of books and collectibles and a large wall display of original graphic art are alive with the beloved characters that populate author L. Frank Baum’s fantasy land of Oz. The artwork, toys, figures and other cool stuff have been assembled from several important Oz collections, and made available to the viewing public during Oz Con International.

I’d like to share a few photos that I took!

Eisner Award-winning Eric Shanower's graphic novels.
Eisner Award-winning Eric Shanower’s graphic novels.
Oz collectibles and artifacts in many languages on display.
Oz collectibles and artifacts in many languages on display.
First edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz used by a Dorothy actress.
First edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz used by a Dorothy actress.
Oz books and cool stuff in an exhibit at the Coronado Public Library.
Oz books and cool stuff in an exhibit at the Coronado Public Library.
Colorful panels of Oz art catch the eye of library visitors.
Colorful panels of Oz art catch the eye of library visitors.
Troll Queen original comic art from Shanower's The Forgotten Forest of Oz.
Troll Queen original comic art from Shanower’s The Forgotten Forest of Oz.
More artwork based on the fairy tale creations of L. Frank Baum.
More artwork based on the fairy tale creations of L. Frank Baum.
Scarecrow and Tin Woodman among many characters in the collection.
Scarecrow and Tin Woodman among many characters in the collection.
This Wicked Witch is cooking up trouble!
This Wicked Witch is cooking up trouble!

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Ray Bradbury and crazy Horton Plaza.

This escalator goes up one level, but no escalator goes down right here!
This escalator goes up one level, but there’s no immediate way back down!

Horton Plaza, San Diego’s colorful downtown shopping mall, was inspired by a concept put forth by famous science fiction and fantasy writer Ray Bradbury. The crazy, jumbled design was based on Ray Bradbury’s essay “The Aesthetics of Lostness” which took joy in the notion of becoming safely lost on the side streets of Paris, London or New York.

While walking about Horton Plaza, you’ll see ramps, escalators, bridges and stairs that go every which way–up, down, across–leading you to new unexpected vistas. One mysterious escalator will take you up one level, but there’s no immediate way to return from where you came. You must let your eyes rove to discover another route. It’s really a fun idea!

I believe I took these pics on a Sunday morning, and few people had yet arrived.

Random ramps and bridges all over the shopping mall.
Random ramps and bridges all over the shopping mall.
Crazy, colorful Horton Plaza.
Crazy, colorful Horton Plaza.