The moment I saw that the word “Curvy” was today’s Photo Friday prompt, I knew exactly which picture I wanted to feature in my post – one I took a couple of years ago of a wonderful sculpture called “Neighbours” by artist Joe Rosenthal.
“Neighbours” by Joe Rosenthal – outside Odette Building at University of Windsor, Ontario
This particular version of the sculpture (I understand there are several copies) is located outside one of the University of Windsor buildings, and the body language of the two women has always intrigued me. Are they friends who are enjoying each other’s company, or is their relationship a frosty one? Are they chatting together, or pointedly ignoring each other? Are they pondering a piece of bad news, or simply lost in thought?
What do you think?
In other news… I’m still feeling rather blah today, so I turned to my copy of 14,000 things to be happy about for a pick-me-up. It’s chock full of – you guessed it – things to be happy about, and if it doesn’t inspire some happiness, nothing will!
100 Happy Days – Day 21
→ The 100 Happy Days web site
→ My 100 Happy Days posts
What made you happy today?
Please share!
Twitter: ProNagger
October 3, 2014
You’re right, they aren’t exactly engaging with one another in the moment we see them in, do they. But, like you said, they may be pausing in thought. Great shot I love public art. I saw a cool piece outside our local art museum today.
Rachel Z Cornell recently posted… Your Productivity Starts with these three easy tricks
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 3, 2014
We have some wonderful pieces of public art here in Windsor – they’re fun to photograph!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
This is an interesting sculpture. It does beg some questions, though. When I first saw it at the beginning of your post, I immediately thought of two women whose biggest difference was race, though they’re still friends and have other commonalities. I saw the fencing as a symbol of what divides their lives, even though they’re really just the same – women, likely with husbands and children.
Anyway, that’s my take. Thanks for sharing and giving me a place to contemplate something not related to child rearing. 🙂
Life Breath Present recently posted… More Wellness in My Life #20 + 31 Days of Photography in October
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 3, 2014
I love the fact that there can be so many different or complementary interpretations of art! Thanks for sharing your take on it.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
Twitter: animal_bliss
October 3, 2014
I love the sculpture. I see them as strangers, each waiting for someone to come out of the building. It’s very interesting how you can interpret it in several ways, which I’m sure is what it’s supposed to do. What make me happy today? My grandson. I take care of him 5 days a week and he never fails to bring a smile to my face. Take care!
Jeanne Melanson recently posted… Capuchin Monkeys, Do These Primates Make Good Pets?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 3, 2014
Sounds lovely, Jeanne! Glad you had a happy day. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
Such interesting questions about this sculpture. The women are oddly positioned if they are supposed to be interacting. I like the reader’s suggestion they are each waiting for someone to come out of the building. In that case, the title “neighbors” is in the context that we are “neighbors” with the strangers we come into contact with each day.
Sammy D recently posted… All Changes Have Their Melancholy
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 4, 2014
I like that too!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
Twitter: shyvish
October 4, 2014
Ah, clearly they are sworn enemies 😉 Look at the stance! I want that book, by the way, for the days when I feel lousy and depressed for no reason!
Shailaja/ The Moving Quill recently posted… That Object- #Friday #Fictioneers
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 4, 2014
I love that book! It actually inspired me to start my own happy list, though I’m not QUITE up to 14,000 yet! 😉
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
Ah, this says a lot about our neighbourliness! Thanks for sharing it, Laurel. Poignant statue!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 4, 2014
You’re welcome!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
Twitter: kaushiva
October 4, 2014
They don’t seem to get along! Lovely sculpture, wonder what emotion the creator wanted to invoke when he made that!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 4, 2014
I wonder too! Nice that it’s open to interpretation.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
Twitter: writercat
October 4, 2014
I love sculptures like these that are so open to interpretation. This would be good for a story prompt, Laurel. What are these women saying or doing?
To me they look like a mother and her daughter. The mom is the prim one all tightly closed with the bun and the daughter is the one with the ponytail and her leg up. They look tense as though they’re arguing. You should do a story prompt with it. It would be fun.
That book looks great. We can all use that extra boost each day to remember reasons to be happy and grateful. I know I sure could as being positive is something that doesn’t come naturally to me but is worth the effort. Negativity sucks energy and destroys creativity like nothing else!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 4, 2014
I like your interpretation! And I so wish I could write fiction.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Curvy + 100 Happy Days – Day 21
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