Project Athena - Day 325 (Metal)

"Flora"

I really didn't want to shoot metal today. I kept getting a cold, empty feeling every time I imagined my picture. So I decided to take a walk at the Benson Sculpture Park and hope for some inspiration. Today was one of those days when everything seemed to be coming alive in this little suburban sanctuary, even the bronze sculptures. As I slowly walked the paths, I could hear so many different sounds, so many different voices. (And no, I did not have any pain killers on board). I felt like I was in the middle of a group of excited party planners who were making preparations for a grand celebration called Summer. Birds were merrily chirping, bees were busily buzzing, flowers were happily blooming, trees were bravely budding and water was freely flowing. As I walked around, it dawned on me that Bronze is a metal. So I just started listening even closer to all of the sounds, especially the sculptures.

Today, it was "Flora", as she is named, who spoke to me the loudest. She reminded me to let nature take its natural healing course and to make time to stop and appreciate even the smallest blade of grass. This is nourishment for the mind, body and soul.

"Flora" by Jo Hess, Benson Sculpture Park, Loveland, CO

Fujifilm X-E2 • Fuji XF18-135mm lens • 46.6mm • F/13 • 1/125s • ISO 400

Project Athena - Day 87 (Musical Instruments)

Bronze Instrument

Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in the performance is sculpted into something.
— Frank Zappa

This sculpture is one of my favorites at the Benson Sculpture Park. I love its name, "Wall Street" and the distorted, off balance depiction of the cello. I can almost hear the warped, garbled sounds that would come from this instrument if it were playable.

Stock Market by Philippe Guillerm, 2007, Benson Sculpture Park, Loveland

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 55mm • F/4.5• 1/100s • ISO 200