Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

You know, Milwaukie isn't the only city starting with an M that has a sculpture garden and a giant cherry.

The Minneapolis sculpture garden is larger, being one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the country at 11 acres.

Apparently it also moves some temporary sculptures in and out, but it has a large permanent exhibition as well. (Technically, I think the Bing cherry in Milwaukie is permanent, and thus separate from the other sculptures there.)

While I don't think Spoonbridge and Cherry is at the exact center of the park, it does play a very central role, where you are aware of it even as you are walking around the other sculptures. This may cause some of the other pieces to take you by surprise.

For example, quite near it there is a giant blue rooster. I remember wondering how I hadn't noticed; it is really big and really blue.

Those two particular examples may make it seem like a very whimsical sculpture garden, but there is a wide variety of work, with different types and styles.

Some are more traditional, and more representative.

The overall tendency does seem to be more abstract.

Some may also be more familiar. In addition to the blue rooster, Hahn/Cock, which has a counterpart in D.C. (though it started in Trafalgar Square), I swear I saw something very similar to this one in Philadelphia.

The large size of some of the installations may make it easy to forget how large the area is.

I notice that a lot of the photos look farther away than they seemed when I took them. Taking that time to go closer can reveal new details (along with the name of the piece and artist).

The site has joined with other spaces and is near some other landmarks, like Walker Art Center, and is connected to Loring Park by the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, which adds its own structural form.

I admit, with abstract art, it can be easy to get confused. I thought I saw some installations across, at the Walker Art Center, and thought about going to see them, then thought it was workers installing pipes. It appears to actually be Privileged Points, on the Art Center grounds. Art is wild!

Certainly, not everything there will be to everyone's taste, but there is plenty to be interested in for anyone.

Some of the art can be explored in depth, reading the messages and pondering.

And sometimes you just enjoy giant cherries and chickens.

COVID: The attraction is completely outdoors, with plenty of room for spreading out, even under the Cowles Pavilion.

Well, maybe put on a mask if you go in here.

Accessibility: There are a few entry points with steps (especially from Bryant Avenue, I think), but there are also ramps and once in the park paths seem pretty wide, smooth, and navigable. 

Of course, there is a lot of ground to navigate. That includes a row lined with small benches that you can sit on, and we saw people sitting on, but where there are also messages. They can be interesting, but are you sitting on the art and is that appropriate?

I did think about it, but I looked down at this one first: "Gifted children, those with an IQ of 125 or above, are prone to feelings of alienation, frustration, and boredom. These feelings can culminate in violence if the children are not encouraged and challenged."

Exactly what are you trying to say, sculpture garden?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

https://walkerart.org/visit/garden

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Sculpture_Garden

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/minneapolis_sculpture_garden/

Milwaukie, Oregon: City Hall Sculpture Garden

 

At midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on New Year's Eve, the city of Milwaukie lowered a lighted cherry sculpture, bringing in the new year and introducing a new sculpture. We were not there.

https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/arts-committee/bing-new-year

However, reading about it let us know two things. First, there is a new cherry sculpture, commemorating the development of the Bing cherry in Milwaukie by horticulturist and foreman Ah Bing.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/bing-cherry

In addition, we learned that there is a whole sculpture garden at Milwaukie City Hall.

It is not a large or permanent exhibit; there are generally about six sculptures at a time, with new ones sought out about every two years.

Still, it is an interesting chance to view some public art at no cost, and in a fun area full of comics, chocolate, and interesting shops.

This rain cloud over an upside down umbrella worked well with the weather during our visit.

Information on the web site was for the previous batch of sculptures, but it included prices, so display here could be a precursor to later sales.

It also adds some variety and interest to the heart of the city.

COVID: The entire garden is outside, with easy distancing.

Accessibility: While the paths can be slippery, they were generally smooth and wide, so safe navigation should be possible.

https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/arts-committee/city-hall-sculpture-garden

The Brigittine Monks of Amity, Oregon: Fresh artisan chocolate

About a month ago we saw the monastery and its chocolates featured on Grant's Getaways:

https://www.kgw.com/article/travel/destinations/grants-getaways/oregon-brigittine-chocolates-grants-getaways-holiday-gifts/283-250cfb4d-b9b4-445e-afc2-ccb45ff4b78a 

I think many people saw it. There was a fairly steady stream of customers while I was there, and there is now a note about working to keep up with orders on the web site.

Well who doesn't like a getaway that includes chocolate?

We stopped by on our way up from Albany.

Of course, it is a sanctuary and religious community, but it also makes and sells chocolates, which allows the monks to be self-supporting.

There is a variety of fudge and truffles available, both in the case and already boxed.

They do also sell rosaries, true, but the enthusiasm for chocolate is expressed clearly.

Truffles were $4.00 each, which was not unreasonable given their size, which was large.

Those pieces in the back are for sampling. I sampled an egg nog truffle, and then decided to get mint and chocolate instead. I was glad that I was able to try the egg nog truffle without committing to it. 

There were options for creating your own boxes, as well as a wide selection of packaged products. The couple who drove up at the same time as us was clearly Christmas shopping, and many of the reviews mention gifts.

It was an interesting visit, but for original chocolates I think my favorite is still Enchanté in Milwaukie. However. the monastery shop is part of the Great Oaks Food Trail, so can be part of a larger expedition:

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/eat-drink/oregon-food-trails/great-oaks-food-trail/

You could just order online, but where else will you have a monk fixing a sticker to your package while you insert your debit card?

COVID: The shop is small. You don't have to spend long in there, but wear a mask.

Accessibility: The paths and ramps are pretty navigable. The door often requires being buzzed in, so you need only push the buzzer and they will open the door. However, on our day the traffic was so brisk, that the people exiting were letting in the new arrivals.

I don't imagine us rushing back, but I don't regret that we made our way there once.

https://www.brigittine.org/